In a world of a technological way of living, where Internet shopping is the most convenient in our fast living world, I see it as our responsibility, the responsibility of the adults/teachers that we protect and preserve the true essence of education,… reading and learning through experiences and the exchange of thoughts and ideas.

One needs to be careful to forelive this attitude to the children that will be our future leaders.

How can we accept, that knowledge starts to sit exclusively within machines that show us the way, in physical direction or mental self-understanding?

How can we accept that children are classified according to the ability of learning?

We need to stop, to let other people tell us what a child needs, when often the one element that is needed is ‘giving the time’ and that is neglected and seen as non-existing?

How can that be?

I think and believe that all children have the same ability to learn. Everyone is different and according to that, time, environment and approach needs to be adapted, prepared and respected. If we allow ourselves to respect and cherish these three factors, that are omni-present, globally existing for everyone, and most of all for free, would change a fair amount of fore-said, decision-made, prejudices and pre-conceived ideas.

Places like little book shops, offering additional writing and reading sessions are getting lost hence to big corporate companies, that give you all the happiness you need for the price of stripping your personality with or better for them.

My book shop goes against this way of living. My team and I know the people, we share a moment together through the process of making the decision, choosing the book that one wants. It is important to have the personal contact. That needs to be and is forelived in this environment. Children see and hear these conversations, wonder and ask questions.

Once again it is the environment that sets the mood and openness of oneself. It is the prepared environment that gives a sense of security and compactness.

Dr. Montessori said: Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment. The teacher’s first duty is to watch over the environment, and this takes precedence over all the rest.

Chris