Wellbeing for the Prepared Adult
A Montessori Approach to Balance and Renewal
Barbara Murphy
What if you cared for yourself with the same intention you bring to your work with children?
Balance, clarity, and care for the Prepared Adult
Wellbeing for the Prepared Adult with Barbara Murphy is a gentle, science-informed, Montessori-aligned course designed to support the human being at the heart of the classroom. This course helps Montessori educators pause, check in with themselves, and understand why wellbeing can feel difficult to sustain even when their sense of purpose is strong. Through reflection, guided activities, and practical insights, participants will learn to recognize the emotional and mental loads they carry, reconnect with their own needs, and shift away from patterns that lead to depletion.
This course blends wellbeing research with familiar Montessori principles to show how self-care can feel natural, intuitive, and aligned with the vision of the prepared adult. Participants will explore multiple dimensions of wellbeing, discover what supports them personally, and learn how observation and environment preparation can guide meaningful self-care. This course creates a nurturing space for Montessori adults to feel grounded, balanced, and supported in sustainable and authentic ways.
In this course you will:
▸ Learn why wellbeing can feel difficult to maintain, even when your purpose is strong
▸ Discover how to check in with yourself and recognize early signs of depletion
▸ Explore six dimensions of wellbeing and identify what supports you most
▸ Use Montessori practices like observation and preparation of the environment to guide your own self-care
▸ Design personal routines and environments that make wellbeing more accessible and sustainable
A certificate of completion for 3 hours is provided. Learn more about certificates here.
“I attended Barbara's presentation at the AMI Refresher and was thoroughly impressed. It struck me deeply and I wanted to share her work with my staff and parents. Another participant commented on her desire to share this information as well, connecting Montessori pedagogy to wellbeing, with her school district administrators. When I arrived at the conference I was feeling emotionally drained. Barbara's presentation lifted me up and gave me a new focus. The presentation was so fantastic.” - Tracy T., Head of School
Course Content
Taking the First Step
We begin by opening a space to check in with ourselves, name what we have been carrying, and explore why wellbeing can sometimes feel out of reach even when our sense of purpose is strong. We also start to reimagine caring for ourselves as an essential part of our spiritual preparation.
Nurturing Wellbeing
Move into the core of the experience and look at wellbeing across six dimensions: social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, and mental. We explore ideas and practices, grounded in happiness and wellbeing science, that can help us cultivate a solid foundation for joy, balance, and fulfillment.
Self-Care the Montessori Way
Bring everything together and explore how to personalize self-care by approaching it the Montessori way, so it feels natural, intuitive, and true to who we are as Montessorians. Drawing on two familiar practices (observation and preparation of the environment), we also uncover how the same principles and tools we use to help children thrive can guide us in supporting our own flourishing.
This course also includes:
A PDF journal with reflection exercises and resources for continued learning.
A printable card deck featuring a wellbeing-related words from around the world. Use these for reflection or to spark conversation and inspiration in the classroom or during team or parent meetings.
This course is for you if:
▸ You care deeply about your Montessori work, but feel overwhelmed or depleted
▸ You struggle to make space for your own needs while supporting others
▸ You feel disconnected from the joy and purpose that once guided your teaching
▸ You want self-care that feels natural, aligned with Montessori principles, and realistic for daily life
▸ You are seeking gentle, practical ways to feel more grounded, balanced, and supported
Barbara Murphy, PhD
An expert at the intersection of Montessori education and wellbeing, Barbara holds a doctoral degree from Northwestern University and a Montessori certificate from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Her journey into Montessori began in Milan, Italy, where she discovered and embraced the philosophy as both a parent and a researcher.
After relocating to Miami, Florida, Barbara founded Montessori Wellness with the vision of integrating Montessori principles and the science of happiness and wellbeing. Her work has focused on creating transformative learning experiences that empower teachers, students, and everyone in the school community to flourish the Montessori way.
Barbara has shared her insights at international, national, and regional conferences, and was the recipient of the AMS 2021 Montessori Innovator Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
This course consists of pre-recorded videos. You will gain access to all the videos as soon as you register. You have access for one year and you may watch at your convenience, as often as you wish, during that time.
Is this appropriate for parents?
The principles in this course can certainly be applied by parents. However, most of the examples used will be for a classroom setting and will reflect the teacher experience. We will not be addressing parents' needs specifically.
Is this a live course?
No. This course consists of pre-recorded video lectures and downloadable resources. You may view the videos as many times as desired at your convenience for at least one year.
Will I receive a Certificate of Attendance?
You can get a certificate of attendance by request. You will need to fill out a feedback form. You will receive a PDF certificate via email. We recommend confirming with your local licensing agency prior to registering if you are relying on having the certificate approved.
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