On May 16, The International Montessori School of Beijing (MSB) hosted its annual Fun After 5 Summer Picnic, a much-anticipated celebration of the school community. This year’s event brought together a wide range of participants. In addition to MSB students and parents, the school warmly welcomed students, parents, and teachers from Jiade Montessori Bilingual Kindergarten (Chaoyang, Beijing) and Jiade Montessori Bilingual Kindergarten (Chengdu). Many families who share a passion for Montessori education also joined the festivities. Nearly 700 guests gathered on MSB’s specially decorated sports field, creating a lively, festive atmosphere reminiscent of a joyful carnival. Much like a Montessori classroom, the event space was thoughtfully divided into five themed areas: Performing Arts, Sports & Games, DIY Crafts, Food Tasting, and Entertainment. Each area buzzed with activity, filled with laughter, music, and the vibrant energy of children at play.

MSB’s educational philosophy, nurtured over 35 years, came to life on stage — through the children’s courage to explore freely, the spirit of collaboration across age groups, and the warmth of dancing together as families. Although the weather forecast had predicted rain in the afternoon, not a single drop fell until the very end of the performances, as if the skies themselves wished to protect this gathering filled with love and hope. The atmosphere was full of excitement, with waves of applause and laughter rolling across the field. Joy lit up every face in the crowd.

Why do we spend months preparing for a single performance? Because this is more than just a stage - it is a living laboratory for Montessori education, where children learn to take ownership of their experiences and where education returns to its true purpose: nurturing life and growth. Each performance is an extension of the Montessori classroom, allowing children to build themselves through hands-on learning. In Montessori education, “child-centered” is not just a slogan. At this year’s Fun After 5, every child was truly at the center. They decided which performances to join, how to take part, and in what role — all through planning and discussion with their teachers. As Ms. Charles, who organized the event, explained, children discover the limits of their abilities through the process of making their own choices and putting them into action. This kind of experience stays with them far more deeply than being told what to do in a classroom, because true growth begins with self-understanding.

To Montessori educators, every child’s moment on stage is a valuable opportunity for character development.
The courage of a soloist
Whether performing a guzheng solo or demonstrating martial arts, children take full ownership from selecting their piece to practicing and stepping onto the stage. Much like the independent work cycle in a Montessori classroom, these moments are built on focus and perseverance, helping children form a lasting belief in themselves: “I can do it.”
Lessons in teamwork
In the band performance of Counting Stars, students learned to blend rhythms and coordinate different parts, echoing the mixed-age collaboration in Montessori classrooms. Some learned to truly listen to their peers, while others stepped up as responsible leaders. Through this real-world cooperation, their social skills grew naturally and meaningfully.
The philosophy of parent-child collaboration
In the Mamma Mia parent-child performance, the shared rehearsals between mother and child captured the essence of the Montessori home environment — where education is woven into everyday life. When parents move from the role of instructors to that of partners, children often exceed expectations and shine with remarkable creativity.

Fun After 5 is a vibrant stage for mixed-age learning that goes far beyond the classroom. Here, children of different ages take on different responsibilities. As soon as the music begins, everyone knows their role. At the heart of Montessori mixed-age education lies the belief that children grow through natural, reciprocal interactions. This philosophy was brought to life in every corner of the event. In the play area, both younger and older children found their place. Each was drawn to different activities, yet all were designed with the guiding principles of Montessori in mind. When watching the Magical Extravaganza, the sparkle of wonder in children’s eyes revealed the awakening of their sensitive period for sensory exploration. Grade 8 students guided their Grade 6 and Grade 7 peers through the performance Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall — from teaching the lyrics to choreographing positions. Every detail reflected the Montessori concept of leadership through mentorship, where being needed fosters a deep sense of responsibility far more effectively than direct instruction. Resilience training was quietly taking place as students adjusted tempos in band rehearsals and practiced piano duets until perfectly in sync. 

The polished performances on stage were the result of countless cycles of setbacks, adjustments, and renewed efforts. This process reflects exactly the kind of character development that Montessori education aims to nurture. The parent chorus What the World Has Given Me expressed heartfelt gratitude, while Together We Can Change the World conveyed a strong sense of responsibility. These messages were not taught through lectures, but felt deeply by the children through the act of performance. True education for life, according to Montessori philosophy, is always grounded in genuine emotional connections.

Why does MSB dedicate itself to organizing this event every year? Because the ultimate goal of Montessori education is to nurture whole individuals — those who can adapt to society and draw strength from within. Every element of this event contributes to that mission. The most elegant form of education is to witness life unfold naturally. The purpose of preparing for this event has never been about putting on a flawless show, but about creating a platform where the core values of Montessori education can be seen, felt, and lived.

This summer, Fun After 5 showed us how the seeds of Montessori education, when planted in the fertile soil of the stage, can blossom into each child’s unique light. The future is already here, and with Montessori wisdom as our guide, may we continue to nurture growth with respect as the soil and freedom as the rain. Together with The International Montessori School of Beijing, let us protect every child’s miraculous journey and write new chapters of boundless possibilities in education.