One key piece of Montessori theory is belief in the child. The idea is that if you believe children will do the right thing, they’re more likely to.  A lot of what makes a Montessori classroom work is based on trust.  At Montessori School of Duluth we’re very mindful of making sure to show trust in the children, and what we get back from them is genuine respect.  The classroom is a miniature society.  Isn’t mutual respect a key element in how we want to interact with others in our daily lives?  Childhood is formative.  Living in a respectful way — to nature, to others — is an important piece of a child’s social development that is valued and encouraged in Montessori.