Traditional and Montessori Education in the Modern World

This episode, we are excited to be joined by Siyuan Fan, a Montessori educator with a background in psychology and human development.  We discuss the psychology of the Montessori Method and how it applies to our modern world and how it differs from traditional education models.  

Meet Siyuan:

"I am a passionate Montessori educator dedicated to bringing a modern Montessori education to 21st-century children. With over seven years of teaching experience across diverse educational settings—from Chinese public preschools to bilingual programs at the Shanghai American School—I’ve had the opportunity to explore and integrate various educational philosophies. Currently, I serve as a Montessori lead teacher at a Montessori-inspired, music-focused preschool, where I blend child-led learning with creative expression and cultural richness.

I hold a master’s degree in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where I also conducted research on playful learning methods through Project Zero, a Harvard-affiliated research institute. My background extends beyond the classroom into curriculum and product design; I’ve worked as a product designer for an educational toy company, combining developmental science with play-based innovation."