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Production and Exchange – Key Developmental Work in Adolescence
March 18, 2026
6:30 PM EST
Registration: Free (advance registration required)
Short Description
Dr. Montessori writes that economic and social independence are key developmental outcomes of adolescence. By that, she does not mean that the adolescents should necessarily be out on their own making a living and fending for themselves financially, but she certainly intends that they participate in commerce, a system of production & exchange, which would put them in contact with the economic and social actions/interactions that shape adult life and livelihood. This webinar will explore the theoretical basis for production and exchange, as well as its implementation in terms of product design, marketing, accounting, and customer relations.
Community Education
Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the developmental importance of production & exchange
- Explore ideas about how to generate, inspire, and sustain production & exchange
- Identify practicable plans that adults and adolescents can co-implement in their unique environments
About Our Speaker
Caren Ross has established and led three farm-based Montessori adolescent programs in Connecticut over the past two decades and has spent the last 11 years as the lead guide and farm manager of the adolescent community at the Montessori School of Greater Hartford. She trained in Ohio, Mexico, and Hartford, and co-authored an article on the pyschodisciplines, which included a follow-up workshop on the adolescent-run farm.
Caren has a BA in psychology and Spanish from Tufts University and an MA in international affairs from Columbia University. Caren worked many years as a journalist, writing news stories from the United Nations and editing news from Spanish-speaking countries. Her long-time involvement with land preservation efforts further prepared her for Erdkinder work.
Conference Structure (4 Days Total)
2.5 Days — Introduction to the Alexandrian Great Work
Sowing the Seeds of Advanced Classical Studies at the Second Plane (Ages 6–12)
A full demonstration framework exploring:
- Alexandrian Latin
- Grammar and Language
- History and Civilization
- Creative Dramatics
- Foundations for later adolescent and adult study
Presented by:
- Kathleen Allen
- Gerard Leonard
- David Kahn
1.5 Days — Keepers of Alexandria: 2026
Designing Advanced Montessori Classical Studies
A visionary exploration of Montessori education across:
- 15–18 (Third Plane Adolescent)
- 18–21 and 21–24 (Fourth Plane Young Adulthood)
Participants will engage in a hypothetical design context for an expanding global humanities curriculum with purpose, rooted in classical studies, moral development, and service to humanity.
Presented by:
- David Kahn
- Baiba Krumins Grazzini