To whom it may concern:

I want to share my knowledge and experience with you about the three-year cycle and it’s importance to a Montessori education. I had the opportunity to work at Greece Montessori School for three years, which allowed me to see students start and finish their three years at the school. Through observations and hands-on experiences, I saw students grow and flourish year after year.

As an assistant, fairly new to the Montessori philosophy, I looked to the administrator, the directresses, and written material for guidance and information. I was told that it is extremely important for a child to complete the three-year cycle while enrolled at a Montessori school. In the beginning, these were simply words to me, but as I continued to work at GMS, these words became meaningful.

As I mentioned, I began with a group of students and was able to see them complete the three-year cycle and graduate from GMS. I observed students think, work, and reflect; I saw students grow from being dependent and insecure human beings to self-reliant, confident individuals. This transformation was magnificent!

During the first year of the three-year cycle, students are observing and exploring. They turn to older students for answers, help, and guidance. The second year includes exploration, but it is also a time of transformation. Students in their second year are older and wiser. They are becoming more independent and are eager to help younger students. Finally, the third year comes along and students are ready and willing to assume the responsibility of being the oldest students. They are secure, proud, knowledgeable people who are excited to embrace challenging work and become positive role models to all who are younger and less experienced than themselves.

Indeed, an inspiring transformation occurs. I had listened to what others had told me about the importance of the three-year cycle and have observed individuals successfully complete the program. I would encourage and recommend that all who begin the program see it through till the end. Each year is important, especially the third year; it is the year when everything “clicks”, and things come together as they should.