Earlier this month, the European Montessori Centre hosted a two-day Montessori workshop at Krohnstad Montessori in Molde, bringing together a vibrant community of early years educators.
We were warmly welcomed by our host, Edith Krohn Marleau, and joined by 55 participants from Montessori kindergartens including Edith’s kindergartens in Molde and Skaret, and also from kindergartens in Vikebukt and Kjolsdalen— all working with children in the 0–3 and 3–6 age groups. The group represented a wonderful blend of trained Montessori teachers and assistants, united by curiosity and dedication to deepening their understanding of Montessori practice.

Exploring the Theme: From Sensorial Experience to Sensorial Education

The theme of the workshop, “From Sensorial Experience to Sensorial Education,” invited participants to explore one of the most essential aspects of Montessori philosophy — the way children learn through the senses, and how adults can guide and enrich that process.

Clare Healy Walls opened the workshop days with lectures examining the role and preparation of the adult in light of this theme. She reflected on how the adult’s own awareness, presence, and preparation are key to creating an environment that supports sensorial learning. Participants were encouraged to see sensorial education not as a set of materials or exercises, but as a way of perceiving and connecting with the world — both for the child and the adult.

Workshops and Small Group Experiences

Following Clare’s talks, our tutors — Aleksandra, Astrid, and Halvor — guided the participants through a series of interactive workshop sessions.
The large group was divided into smaller circles for discussion and practical exploration. Participants reflected on their observations of children, shared experiences from their own classrooms, and engaged in exercises that encouraged them to walk the environment, both inside and outside, with renewed attention to the senses.

The sessions highlighted the importance of the adult’s sensorial awareness — noticing the qualities of sound, texture, temperature, light, and movement that shape a child’s experience. These moments of shared discovery brought fresh insight into what it means to prepare the environment and prepare the self in Montessori education.

A Silent, Sensorial Lunch

One of the most memorable moments of the workshop was a silent, sensorial lunch, held on the first day.
Participants were invited to eat a beautifully prepared lunch in silence, focusing on the full sensory experience — the colours, textures, aromas, taste and sounds of their meal. What began as an unfamiliar exercise became a powerful reminder of the richness of perception and the value of mindful presence. Many commented afterward that it deepened their understanding of how children engage the world through their senses — naturally, attentively, and without distraction.

Reflections and Feedback

Throughout the two days, the energy in the room was one of curiosity, connection, and shared purpose. Participants appreciated the balance between theory and practice, between reflection and activity.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how inspired they felt to return to their classrooms with new ideas and a deeper sense of Montessori’s approach to sensorial development.

Gratitude and Closing Thoughts

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Edith Krohn Marleau and the team at Krohnstad Montessori for their generous hospitality and to all the educators who took part so openly and thoughtfully.
This workshop reaffirmed our belief that Montessori education is as much about the growth of the adult as it is about the development of the child. Through careful observation, awareness, and preparation, we continue to cultivate environments — and adults — that nurture the whole child.

“The senses, being explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge.”
— Maria Montessori