Athena is a bright, engaged, inquisitive child.
As professional working scientists (PhD Neuroscience; Clinical Genetics diploma), we are parents who encourage Athena by promoting hands-on, self-paced, collaborative, and challenging learning - which is offered by the Montessori environment.
Athena (at 2yr 8mo) looks up to her older cousin Kaitlyn (at 8yr 6mo); Athena often learns/emulates from her older peers - the "age mix" philosophy of Montessori.