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Beyond the Game: Montessori Approach to Sports

Patrick Oudejans

Description

Sports and physical activities are more than just games—they are opportunities to nurture independence, teamwork, and emotional resilience in children. In this live talk, Patrick Oudejans explores how the Montessori philosophy transforms our understanding of physical activity, helping children build not only physical literacy but also essential life skills.

In Montessori education, movement is inseparable from learning. Through purposeful activity, children develop confidence, problem-solving abilities, and emotional regulation. Patrick dives into how sports and physical exercises can authentically implement the Montessori Movement and Physical Education Curriculum, providing children with tools that shape their growth holistically.

This session highlights:

•The Montessori Approach to Sports: Discover how Montessori principles such as independence, collaboration, and respect guide the introduction of sports in a way that emphasizes personal growth over competition.

•Practical Applications at Home and School: Gain insights into creating an environment that promotes movement, wellness, and skill-building, both in the classroom and in everyday family life.

•Fostering Empathy and Emotional Balance: Explore how sports can encourage children to develop social-emotional skills, such as empathy, communication, and self-discipline, essential for navigating today’s challenges.

Patrick also addresses common concerns around sedentary lifestyles and the disconnect children often feel from physical activity. By focusing on sports as tools for personal and social development, he offers practical advice for integrating movement into a child’s routine in meaningful and achievable ways.

Whether your child is just beginning to explore physical movement or is ready for structured sports activities, this talk provides actionable strategies to support their development. Patrick’s expertise brings a fresh perspective to how sports can be an empowering and enriching experience for children of all ages.

Watch the replay and discover how the Montessori approach to movement and physical education can help children thrive in every aspect of life—on and off the field.

This description aligns with Patrick’s focus on Montessori sports, movement, and physical literacy.

Featuring

Patrick Oudejans

Patrick Oudejans launched his coaching career in 2005, focusing on children aged 6-12. Graduating with an Honors Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and Business in 2014, he conducted his thesis at the AFC Ajax youth academy. In 2013, he joined Ajax as a Data Analyst, contributing to Plan Cruyff and exploring international football environments. Moving to Cruyff Football in 2015, he expanded globally and piloted sports integration into Montessori environments in Beijing in 2017, establishing two CASA programs. Co-founding Montessori Sports in 2018, Patrick created an AMI-accredited program in 2020 to integrate sports into children’s daily activities, showcasing his commitment to educational improvement through sport.

Sylvia Arotin
Sylvia Arotin is an award winning international speaker and trainer in early childhood. She has had over 14 years experience in Montessori teaching and is the founder and director of My Montessori (0-6 yrs) school in Sydney, Australia. Her passion for children’s learning and development, as well as supporting and educating adults, has been fundamental in founding the Guide & Grow brand now with over 320,000 members globally. She holds an International Montessori 0-3yrs training, 3-6 AMI Assistants training, an International Communications degree and a Masters in Teaching specializing in early childhood (0-5 yrs) (Honours) from Macquarie University.

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