R.E.S.P.E.C.T. & WHAT IT MEANS TO ME

Respect plays a key role in social development in a Montessori classroom. The founder of the Montessori method, Dr. Maria Montessori, believed that respect for one another is a vital condition for positive interpersonal relationships and that socializing is a natural human necessity.

Students learn respect for one another, their surroundings, and the materials they utilize in a Montessori classroom. They are encouraged to conduct themselves responsibly and to treat others how they would like to be treated. Through this approach, children learn to develop empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the feelings and needs of others.

In a Montessori classroom, respect is promoted through a variety of techniques. Students are free to work in pairs or small groups, for instance, as this fosters teamwork and allows them to benefit from one another’s knowledge. This teaches students to value others’ qualities and differences and how to cooperate to achieve a shared objective. Students learn the importance of teamwork and respect for the contributions of others by interacting with students of all ages and skills. They develop a feeling of community and a culture of respect as they work together to support and aid one another.

Dr. Montessori placed emphasis on the value of fostering social environments that encourage respect and teamwork. Once, she stated,

“The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibility of a better humanity. He has shown us the true process of the construction of human beings. We have seen students totally change as they acquire a love for things and as their sense of order, discipline, and self-control develops within them.... The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.”

Respect is essential for success in all facets of life, not only social development in a Montessori classroom. Students gain a sense of responsibility, confidence, and self-worth that will serve them well throughout their lives when they learn to not only respect themselves, but others and their surroundings.

By cultivating a caring, collaborative environment that values respect, Oak Farm Montessori helps students develop the social and emotional skills required for success in all parts of life. According to Maria Montessori, the finest sign of a teacher’s success is to be able to say, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher...is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I did not exist.” By encouraging respect, Montessori teachers may help children realize their full potential as individuals and as members of a larger community.