Montessori Inspiration Weekend
We are offering a weekend of Montessori inspiration on 30 May 2026!
On this Saturday we will enjoy lectures offered by AMI Montessori Trainers. The International Montessori Institute is delighted to host this inspiring event at Montessori Parkrijk.
Registration for 2026 event is now open!
Montessori Education
During the Montessori Inspiration Weekend will explore Montessori education through the lens of the planes of development, with dedicated lectures for each developmental stage.
Early Childhood (3–6 years)
The continuation of the first plane of development, characterised by the absorbent mind and sensitive periods. The child constructs the foundations of the personality through purposeful activity, movement, and sensorial exploration, striving for independence, order, and coordination. Lectures will be offered by the highly experienced Philippa Romig. She will talk about ‘Ecology in Montessori’ specified to the 3-6 age.
Childhood (6–12 years)
The second plane of development, marked by the emergence of reasoning, imagination, and the moral sense. The child turns outward to explore the wider universe, seeking intellectual understanding, social collaboration, and a developing sense of justice. Lectures will be offered by Carla Foster. She will talk about ‘Writing by hand’.
Adolescence (12–18 years)
The third plane of development, a period of profound physical, psychological, and social transformation. The adolescent is engaged in the construction of the adult self, characterised by a need for independence, dignity, and meaningful work within a real social context. Patricia Wallner will share about the 12-18 year old child.
Weekend Overview
On Saturday 30th May 2026 after the morning registration we commence with two lectures to all participants of the day by Carla Foster on writing by hand! During the coffee break we will have the opportunity to connect with each other. Then a second lecture by Carla Foster will be offered to everyone!
After a healthy vegetarian lunch all participants can choose between a lecture series offered by Philippa Romig on Montessori for a regenerative and sustainable future (Children’s House) or a lecture series by Patricia Wallner on the needs of the adolescent (12-18).
After all lectures we will have a nice drink together. The event will close at approximately 17:30.
The detailed program can be found on our Program page.
AMI 6-12 Trainer: Carla Foster
The AMI 6-12 Trainer for our 2026 event will be Carla Foster. Carla is internationally renowned and inspires and trains Montessori professionals around the world. With a deep understanding of the developing reasoning mind and the child’s growing imagination, she offers rich lectures the development of children in this age.
Celebrating writing by hand
“The hand is the delicate and structurally complicated organ that allows the mind not only to manifest itself but to enter into special relations with its environment.
Man, we may say, takes possession of his environment by his hand and transforms it as his mind directs, thus fulfilling his mission on the great stage of the universe.”
Maria Montessori – The Secret of Childhood
In this series of two lectures we will first look at the reasons for writing by hand, connected to both current research and the characteristics of the child. We will go through some do’s and don’ts of working with handwriting and how to talk to children about their handwriting. Then in the second section we will explore the history of handwriting around the world and you will hear stories of letters, writing styles, writing implements, and get some ideas for activities connected to the amazing history of our ability to express ourselves through handwriting.
AMI 3-6 Trainer – Philippa Romig
The AMI 3-6 Trainer for our 2026 event will be Philippa Romig. Philippa is an internationally renowned trainer who inspires and guides Montessori professionals around the world. With a profound understanding of the young child she brings deep insight into the foundations of montessori education.
Montessori for a regenerative and sustainable future
In this series of two lectures I hope to give an overview of
how the Montessori prepared environment, both physical and social, helps prepare the child for a future in which the regeneration of the natural environment will continue to be a major issue for all peoples and all nations. I shall show how Dr Montessori, as an anthropologist, was aware of the role of mankind in transforming the natural world.
The Montessori Children’s House embodies the integrated learning environment necessary to enable adaptive education for the 21st Century, preparing a sustainable future. A second part of this presentation will include discussion of the practical application of the concept of education for a sustainable future in the Montessori Children’s House.
AMI 6-12 speaker – Patricia Wallner
The AMI 6-12 speaker for our 2026 event will be Patricia Wallner. Patricia has conducted the 0-3 Training of Trainers Program under the supervision of Silvana Montanaro and has been working as an AMI Trainer since 2006.
She has directed a number of trainings, she travels all over the world, takes part in congresses, symposiums and conferences and she has also directed many AMI refresher courses. Patricia Wallner is one of a few 0-3 Trainers in the world and the AMI 0-3 trainer at the International Montessori Institute since 2016. She recently completed the AMI 12-18 diploma course.
The needs of the adolescents
Maria Montessori recognized clear differences in the
developmental stages and, therefore, the educational needs of children in each of the 4 planes of development. Adolescence is one of these special periods where traditional education and even traditional parenting may not be offering the challenges adolescents need.
What Dr. Montessori envisioned for the education of teenagers is a topic that both parents and educators are interested in. This is a subject we would like to explore to understand and better educate teenagers.
How much does it cost?
Registration and fees for this weekend is €200
Register before 31st April for EARLY BIRD price €185
Payment can made directly after registration via the registration page. You can pay by iDeal or Credit Card.
The fee covers the full program of the Montessori Inspiration Weekend.
Early registration is recommended as space is limited.
Travel to and from the event will have to be arranged by each participant individually. Look for public transport options here.
Coffee & tea, sweet treats, a lovely lunch and drinks with bites are included! We recommend/ ask you to stay after the last lecture for the drinks so we can meet, share, connect and inspire each other!
Event Location
Montessori Parkrijk
Parelmoervlinderlaan 102
2288 GR Rijswijk
0031 642067136
Impressions from previous Inspiration Weekends at IMI
