Montessori and Peace Education
“An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.” -Dr. Maria Montessori
Peace Education and social justice is an integral aspect of the Montessori Method. On Friday, October 23rd, MCS will commemorate United Nations Day with classroom activities intended to celebrate multiculturalism and the ideals fostered within the school community – peace, respect, compassion, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. Dr. Maria Montessori dedicated her life to education and peace. She believed that the ultimate goal of education is peace and that each new generation of children renews our hope for a more peaceful world.
MCS’s mission is to nurture and guide the development of our students into compassionate and respectful learners who will become positive forces to transform our world. “Respect for All” is not only an MCS core value but is the foundation for the Montessori method of teaching. In a Montessori classroom, you will notice both teacher and student modeling respectful and movements and behaviors. Peace is integrated into our materials, curriculum, and physical environment. Each classroom has a peace corner or table where children can go to seek peace and where disagreements can be resolved in a constructive and age-appropriate manner. From the age of 18 months onward, students learn ‘Grace and Courtesy’ skills which reinforce an understanding of respect for self, others, and the environment.
A devoted humanitarian, Dr. Maria Montessori was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy efforts. She participated in the founding meetings of UNESCO and today Montessori schools have maintained close relations with the United Nations. The American Montessori Society is recognized as a non-governmental organization (NGO) at the UN, giving a voice to Montessori and peace education. As we celebrate the 150th birthday anniversary of Maria Montessori we honor her global impact on children and education. Today there are more than 5,000 Montessori schools in the U.S. and 20,000 worldwide.
How will you take action? Visit our Peace Education page for a list of resources for parents, caregivers, students, and educators.
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