GAM Retreat

Space, design and learning

Space, design and learning in Montessori are deeply connected building bricks in the Montessori philosophy. In the book Montessori Architectural Patterns spot-on ideas can be found on this particular subject. At the core of our approach to Montessori Architecture is an attitude of never under-estimating the child’s sensitivity to his or her environment. In order to feel secure, the child must be surrounded by ‘knowable space’. The exploration of the space must be at the child’s own volition. The child must be free to move in and around the space so the environment must be adapted to the child’s needs, because in turn the child will adapt to the environment. ‘The Prepared Environment’ is a key concept in Montessori pedagogy and therefore our foundation. At its simplest our concern is with the environment, the child within the environment and the relationship of the child with the trained Montessori teacher in the environment.

To create a ‘knowable space’ we must have in mind the articulation of that space and the elements which foster a sense of secure orientation within it. We can do this by creating a ‘hierarchy of interconnected spaces’. Orientation can be achieved in different ways with directional spaces or centralised spaces, tall spaces or low spaces, small spaces or big spaces, we are confined only be the parameters of the location and any existing structure. From the child’s perspective we are thinking of how the disposition of space creates ‘knowability’ and our ambition is a ‘hierarchy of interconnected spaces’ which fulfil the formal use requirements and allow an orientating understanding to develop in the child’s mind. It is also our obligation to introduce sufficient complexity to meet the child’s curiosity and to design space which meets the child’s needs for gross motor activity.

“The adult, the child, and the environment are a trinity. They should be considered as one.”
Maria Montessori - The 1946 London Lectures, p. 213

Practical information

Language

The main language used during this weekend will be English. However, the event will also be translated into Italian. If you require translation into any other language, we kindly ask you to arrange your own translator.

Costs

The costs for this Montessori Retreat will be €150 per person. Except for breakfast all meals and drinks are included (2 x dinner & 1 x lunch). The maximum number of participants is 150.

Special Offer

Special Offer during this weekend GAM Montessori offers you a 20% discount on all orders and free shipping on all shipments within the EU. Please feel free to benefit from this generous offer! Please send in your orders in advance by email to montessori@gonzagarredi.it, so that we can already make the necessary preparations.

Venue Address

GAM - GonzagArredi Montessori
Srl Via Leone XIII, 7 - 46023 Gonzaga (MN), Italy
Phone: +39 0376 518 200 - montessori@gonzagarredi.it - www.gonzagarredi.com

There are different ways to reach us:

By (rental) car

As we are all used to GSP navigation devices nowadays, just enter the address.

By plane/train

The nearest airports are Verona (VRN), Bologna (BLQ), Bergamo (BGY) You can reach Gonzaga by car or by train. Make sure that you arrange your own transport from your accommodation to GAM and back. If you need help, please write to montessori@gonzagarredi.it

Accommodation

In order to find a place to stay you can use the familiar websites to find hotels like www.booking.com or www.trivago.com.

Registration

You can register by using the following link: gamretreat2025.paperform.co/ After your registration we will contact you for more detailed information about the participants so that we will be able to prepare your badge for the event.

The last date to register for this Montessori Retreat is 7 March 2025.