Today, we conclude our exploration of the Peaceful Classroom, part of our ongoing Montessori Primer. In our previous posts, we examined the principles of Preparing the Environment for Peace, Making Room for Peace Education, Peace through Nature and Peace through Creativity; today we discuss Peace through Giving and Making a Difference in the World..
Peace through Giving
“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” Albert Schweitzer
Children need direct experiences with giving, joining the heart and hand. Children love to make things, small and large, and share with family, friends, and neighbors – they naturally want to share and help. Montessori addresses this desire with mixed-age classrooms where older students help the younger. Practical life in Montessori is practiced at every level with the purpose of preparing children to take excellent care of themselves, our planet, and the people on it. Children are engaged in gift giving projects and works of charity throughout the year. The art of giving from the heart builds empathy and compassion, two essential ingredients of a peaceful person.
Make a difference in the world (Elementary and Middle School)
Help young people find active ways of working for peace, the preservation of the natural world, the relief of human suffering, or other concerns through organizations like Kids Can Make a Difference, Free the Children, Roots and Shoots, or Peace Jam, in which students work directly with Nobel Peace Laureates.
Join us on Wednesday as we begin the next part of our Montessori Primer – A Day In the Life.