Episode #17
School, According to 3rd Graders: Ishaan & Ayaan
What do children actually think about school? For this special conversation, we hand the microphones over to two very honest critics: nine-year-old twins Ishaan and Ayaan. After years in Montessori and a recent transition to a new school, the third graders have plenty to say about how they learn, what they love, what they miss, and what they would change. Their answers are funny, thoughtful, occasionally surprising—and often more insightful than adults might expect. They talk about choosing their work, grades and homework, learning at their own pace, working with friends, hands-on materials, research projects, technology, and what makes a lesson exciting. They also imagine their ideal classroom and share what they think schools could do to help kids make better use of their time. Together, they explore: What they remember—and don't remember—about starting Montessori The differences they've noticed between Montessori and their current school Why they miss Montessori materials, reports, and opportunities to choose their work What grades and homework feel like from a child's perspective Why learning at the right level matters when you've already mastered something What they would put in a classroom if they could design one themselves More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that children have ideas about their education, too. Sometimes the best way to understand what makes a school work is simply to ask the kids who are living it. Contact Us: humanpotential@amshq.org Educating the Human Potential is a podcast about optimizing education for a better society, through a Montessori lens. Hosts Nicole Coman , a licensed educational psychologist specializing in school psychology and child development -- and a "Montessori mom" -- and Biff Maier , an American Montessori Society Living Legacy with decades of experience as a Montessori educator and school leader, engage with experts, educators, parents, and students. Each episode explores strategies to unlock human potential, offering thought-provoking conversations on learning, child development, and the evolving landscape of education. This podcast is presented by AMS, the American Montessori Society. For more information about Montessori education, visit https://amshq.org/about-montessori/ And consider this AMS course for families interested in incorporating the Montessori philosophy into their day-to-day lives and parenting approach: https://learn.amshq.org/parent-course-early-childhood Contact us: humanpotential@amshq.org
