Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ & Columbus Day the Montessori Way

Every October, families and schools, including Northwood Montessori, across the country face the question of how to approach Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day. For many of us, these holidays can bring up complex feelings. Montessori offers us a way to hold that complexity with honesty, balance, and respect for human dignity.

Grounding in Truth and Respect

In Montessori, we first ground ourselves in the big picture. This includes presenting history truthfully, even when it’s uncomfortable. While Christopher Columbus’s voyages were remarkable in their boldness, they also marked the beginning of a period that brought devastating consequences for Indigenous peoples. To honor human dignity, we acknowledge both.

The Human Story of Exploration

Dr. Maria Montessori described the universal human tendencies that drive our development: exploration, orientation, imagination, and communication, among others. Columbus’ journey across the Atlantic can be understood as part of this shared human story of curiosity and discovery. At the same time, we acknowledge that Indigenous peoples had been exercising these same human tendencies for thousands of years, creating thriving civilizations, languages, technologies, and cultures long before Europeans arrived.

Celebrating Indigenous Cultures

Indigenous Peoples’ Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the beauty, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous communities. Montessori classrooms and families might:

Read stories or legends written by Indigenous authors.
Explore maps that show the many nations that existed (and still exist) across the Americas.
Listen to Indigenous music or learn about traditional art forms.
Reflect on the continued contributions of Indigenous people today, not just in the past.

Gratitude and Reflection

Montessori places great emphasis on gratitude and stewardship. We can invite children to pause and ask: Who lived on this land before us? How can we honor their legacy? How do we show respect for people whose voices may not always be heard? Simple practices like acknowledging the land, offering thanks to the earth, or caring for nature connect to both Montessori principles and Indigenous values.

Developmentally Appropriate Conversations

How we approach these topics will vary by age:

Young children can focus on cultural appreciation through stories, art, music, and food.
Elementary children can begin to discuss colonization and resilience within the context of the story of human interdependence.
Adolescents can dive even deeper, exploring issues of representation, justice, and equity, or even engaging in service projects that support Indigenous communities.

A Balanced Montessori Approach

Montessori encourages us to reframe the conversation: How do we tell the full human story? We honor the courage of exploration while also telling the truth about colonization. We celebrate Indigenous cultures not only as something from the past but as vibrant, living contributions to our present and future.

By approaching these holidays with honesty and reverence, Montessori classrooms and families can help children grow into compassionate global citizens.

Schedule a time to visit Northwood Montessori School in Houston, Texas to see how we support young people who understand that our shared human story is both complex and beautiful.

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Supporting Your Child’s Independence After Winter Break: A Montessori Approach

By Dolores Vazquez • January 14, 2026

Returning to school after winter break presents a meaningful opportunity to re-establish rhythm, routine, and independence for children. In Montessori education, transitions are approached with patience, respect for development, and thoughtful preparation of the environment. January offers a natural reset; allowing children to regain momentum and rebuild the concentration and confidence that come from purposeful work. Re-establishing Rhythm After the Holidays Young children thrive when their days follow predictable patterns. Breaks from school are joyful and family-centered, yet they often bring irregular schedules, travel, or disrupted sleep routines. As children return to the classroom in January, they may temporarily show signs of disorganization, lower concentration, or increased emotional sensitivity. From the Montessori perspective, this is expected. The prepared environment, with its order, consistency, and carefully sequenced materials, provides the grounding children need to return to purposeful activity. Very quickly, they remember the flow of the work cycle, the expectations of the community, and the independence that is built into every part of the day. How Montessori Classrooms Reinforce Independence in January Practical Life: The Foundation of Independence Practical Life materials are central during post-break transitions. Children are naturally drawn back to these exercises because they offer structure, clarity, and purposeful movement. Activities such as pouring, sweeping, food preparation, and care of the environment help children regain equilibrium while strengthening coordination and concentration. Grace and Courtesy Renewed January is an ideal time for revisiting Grace and Courtesy lessons, small demonstrations that teach children how to interact respectfully within their community. These lessons help reset expectations and reinforce peaceful problem-solving, kindness, and cooperation. Choice and Uninterrupted Work Cycles Children return to long, uninterrupted periods of concentration. The freedom to choose meaningful work allows them to re-engage at their own pace, restoring the satisfaction that comes from self-directed activity. Strategies Parents Can Use at Home Resetting the Home Environment Simple adjustments can empower children to become more independent after the holiday break. Consider: A consistent place for shoes and coats Low hooks and shelves for belongings A small snack station with accessible containers Child-sized tools for cleaning and organizing These changes mirror the Montessori prepared environment and help children feel capable and confident. Consistent Routines Re-establish a predictable morning and evening sequence: Prepare clothes the night before Use a visual routine chart if helpful Keep wake-up and bedtime consistent Children feel more secure when they know what to expect. Supporting Emotional Transitions Transitions take time. Montessori emphasizes calm, respectful communication. Offer empathy, pause before assisting, and encourage your child to try tasks on their own before stepping in. Simple Montessori-Aligned Activities to Build Independence Folding washcloths Watering plants Helping prepare breakfast or snacks Sorting laundry Organizing winter gear and outerwear These tasks develop coordination, responsibility, and confidence while fostering meaningful participation in family life. Supporting Independence at Northwood Montessori At Northwood Montessori, we see January as a fresh opportunity to strengthen independence, re-establish routines, and honor each child’s natural desire for purposeful work. Through the prepared environment, skilled guidance, and respect for each child’s developmental rhythm, we help children transition back into the school community with confidence and joy.