One of the things I love about Montessori is that the deeper you go into it, the bigger it seems to become.

Japan gave me a chance to experience that from a completely different perspective: another culture, another stage of life, and spaces I had only been learning about from afar. 

We visited three centers.  In Tokyo, we visited 'Poppy', a day centre for people living with dementia and the adjoining Montessori Early Childhood Centre 'Tuliip''.  In Osaka, we visited an outdoor centre 'Seikou Udokusha'  in the morning and 'Roles' a centre for hands-on craft and cultural activities.  Our final visit was to a residential care home run by the Montessori Care Association (MoCA). Each centre was completely different from the next in their environments, their communities, and the way everyday life unfolded. I appreciated seeing that there wasn’t one way Montessori in ageing and dementia was supposed to look.

What made these visits even richer were the conversations that came with them. Being able to observe, ask questions, and then talk through what we were seeing with Anne was incredibly valuable. Hearing her experience and perspective as we moved from one place to the next helped me look more closely and understand what we were seeing beyond the surface. 

Roelie put an incredible amount of thought into bringing the whole experience together while still keeping the trip relaxed and easy. Tatako, our local guide and translator became such a special part of my experience in Japan. I loved her personality and perspective and really came to admire her. Having her with us made me feel more immersed in and connected to the culture.

After spending most of my Montessori life with children, there was something very special about finally experiencing this work alongside elders. So much was different, but so much felt familiar: dignity, independence, purpose, participation, and simply seeing the person in front of you for everything they can still be and do. I came back to Puerto Rico with new questions and new connections.

More than anything, I’m grateful I got to experience it firsthand and excited to keep following where this camino Montessori takes me.

Thank you, Roelie, for all the wonder and wandering.

Gianna Del Mastro

@caminosmontessori