IMSP Podcast: Meet Alumna Diana Peštová

It’s our pleasure to introduce you to this week’s guest on the IMSP podcast series: Diana Peštová. Born and raised in the Czech Republic, Diana now studies language and culture at the University of Amsterdam. Diana catches up with our host, Mariana, as she reflects on how IMSP helped her to think outside of the box. Passionate about writing, singing, and acting, Diana shares how Montessori education allowed her to explore her interests at her own pace.

Montessori preschool and school alumni review

In Diana’s own words:

“My name is Diana Peštová and I am 19 years old. I attended IMSP from the age of three to eight. After that, I studied at another English school in Prague called PBIS, from which I graduated in 2020. After a gap year during which I taught children English and discovered my passion for linguistics and literature. I am now pursuing this area at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). My other interests include acting and singing, which enabled me to land a part in a large school production of The Addams Family Musical.”

Twenty years ago, IMSP opened its door for the first time. This podcast series follows Mariana Bečková — IMSP alumna and graduate of the program — as she shines a light on her fellow Montessori graduates. Celebrating our 20th anniversary, we are taking time to reflect with students who have been with us along the way. Tune in and learn more about their experience in the IMSP classroom and what Montessori means for them today.

IMSP PODCAST: MEET ALUMNA KAROLÍNA MUCHOVÁ

Comments

Další články

What does Grace and Courtesy look like in practice?

The purpose of the Grace and Courtesy curriculum in Montessori is to offer our children the best possible assistance on this path. Explaining and modeling clearly, we share the most harmonious ways of behaving, relating and communicating, and help children practice and master them. Step by step, from the simplest skills (like saying “excuse me” or shaking hands) children build a “vocabulary” of actions that allows them to act appropriately and feel confident in social settings. How do we actually practice it in particular age groups?

Grace and Courtesy: Why is it so important?

Grace and Courtesy is a major part of the Practical Life curriculum from infancy through adolescence. You might overlook the Grace and Courtesy curriculum when you first visit a Montessori classroom; unlike Mathematics or Language, there usually isn’t a dedicated shelf or corner for it. However, it is nonetheless an essential part of the curriculum, with set lessons and goals; its „didactic materials“ are the teachers themselves, as well as the children’s community. Its aim is far more than simply teaching etiquette: it is to aid the self-construction of the child in their task to assume their full place in the human community.

Cooking With Children can be fun

It is often said that “the family that eats together, stays together”. We would like to suggest taking it a step further – and encourage every family to cook together, too. In Montessori, we know that kitchen work provides a host of benefits to children, all the way from toddlers to adolescents; it is a part of the Practical Life curriculum as soon as children can walk! However, its advantages are in no way tied to the classroom and can be just as easily – if not more so – applied at home.

IMSP Toddlers: Help Me to Do It Myself

One of the key concepts and skills that Montessori education develops in different ways and from different perspectives through the entire childhood and through the entire educational process is independance.

Avoiding Pitfalls when Dining with a Toddler

Who doesn’t love a dinner date? There is something so universally appealing about sharing a meal with your loved one: eating delicious foods whilst engaging in conversation and enjoying each other’s company.