By Tara Hofherr, Head of School, Kingsley Montessori School
If you’re lucky enough to be able to spend a little time walking through Boston with young children, you'll quickly discover that they experience the city a little differently, and perhaps even better, than we do. They notice the numbers on buildings, the dog waiting patiently outside a coffee shop, the construction crew working down the street, and a hundred other things the rest of us might walk right past. A walk that takes an adult ten minutes can easily take twice as long with a curious child.
And I would argue that's a wonderful thing.
At Kingsley Montessori School, one of the things I love most about our location is that Boston truly becomes an extension of our classrooms. Our students regularly venture beyond our doors to explore the Back Bay and surrounding neighborhoods, and I've seen firsthand just how much these experiences contribute to their learning, confidence, and independence.
Maria Montessori believed that children learn by doing, observing, and engaging with the world around them. And what better place to put that philosophy into practice than a city as rich in history, culture, and community as Boston?
Finding Their Way, Building Their Confidence
For young children, even a familiar walk to the playground is an opportunity for tremendous growth. They're learning to recognize landmarks, navigate busy sidewalks, follow directions, and look out for one another. With each outing, they become a little more confident, a little more capable, and a little more independent.
Our youngest students make regular trips to the Commonwealth Avenue Mall and Clarendon Street Playground. As they grow, their adventures expand to include Boston Common, the Esplanade, and destinations throughout the city.
There's something pretty wonderful about watching a child proudly point out a familiar building or confidently announce which direction the group should turn. These might seem like small accomplishments, but to a young child, they're anything but. Each one reinforces an important message: I am capable. I can figure things out. I know my way.
And that growing sense of confidence and independence extends far beyond the sidewalk.
A City Full of Questions
Boston is an extraordinary place to be a curious child. History, art, science, architecture, and culture are quite literally around every corner.
A visit to the Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library can bring a geography lesson to life. A trip to the State House can spark questions about government and history. Museums, parks, and even a ride on the T offer opportunities to experience firsthand what children might otherwise only encounter in books.
But some of the richest learning happens when we least expect it. A construction site can inspire a conversation about engineering. A neighborhood garden might prompt questions about plants and pollinators. An encounter with a neighbor can become a lesson in community and connection.
One of the greatest gifts we can give children is the time and space to wonder. As parents and educators, we don't always need to have the answers. Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is slow down, listen to their questions, and discover something new alongside them.
Growing Up with a Sense of Belonging
Of course, some of the most meaningful lessons children learn in the city have little to do with academics.
In Montessori classrooms, we teach "Grace and Courtesy," helping children develop the skills to interact with others respectfully, thoughtfully, and kindly. Those lessons come to life in the neighborhood, whether children are greeting a familiar shopkeeper, making room for someone on a busy sidewalk, or inviting a new friend to join them at the playground.
And there's something especially meaningful about the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a neighborhood.
Places like Titus Sparrow Park are so much more than playgrounds or green spaces. They're gathering places where friendships form, neighbors connect, and children begin to understand what it means to be part of a community. As a South End resident myself, one of my favorite things about walking to or through Titus Sparrow Park is that I can hardly do so without running into a Kingsley student or two. There's something really special about seeing our students and families outside of school, enjoying the same neighborhood spaces and feeling so at home in their community. It's these familiar faces, shared experiences, and everyday connections that help children feel that this is their neighborhood, too.
At Kingsley, one of our most beloved traditions is our annual Kindergarten Marathon, when our school community gathers along the Esplanade to cheer on our youngest runners. The pride on the children's faces as they cross the finish line is unforgettable. It's a beautiful reminder that the places we share become the backdrop for some of our most meaningful memories.
As someone who has spent more than a decade working with children in the heart of Boston, I feel incredibly fortunate that our students get to grow up with this remarkable city as their classroom. And I'm grateful for the neighbors, local organizations, and community spaces that make it such a special place to learn and grow.
So the next time you're out exploring Boston with a child, I encourage you to slow down a little. Let them choose the route. Ask what they notice. Follow their questions, even when they take you somewhere unexpected. Give them opportunities to navigate, explore, and figure things out for themselves.
Because when we give children the freedom to explore their world, we're doing so much more than teaching them about the city around them. We're helping them discover their own place within it.
We hope to see you at Glow in the Park on Saturday, November 14!
Tara Hofherr is the Head of School at Kingsley Montessori School, serving children from Toddler through Sixth Grade in Boston's Back Bay. Kingsley is a proud Gold Sponsor of Titus Sparrow Park.
Learn more at https://www.kingsley.org
