Pamphlet Montessori Creates a Culture of Partnership and Respect

In 1940, Dr. Maria Montessori wrote:

“

Man masters almost everything but himself. He knows almost everything but himself. He avails himself of the most hidden treasures but does not use the immense riches and powers that lie within himself.

This points to the great and urgent task of education!

No mobilization is as complete as that which can be realized by the school. In the past, military service was limited to men of a certain age group. Now more and more people are drawn into the service of war – even women and children.

Dr. Maria Montessori carried a large vision for the purpose of education – the establishment of universal and lasting peace.

Though she witnessed two world wars and the unleashing of nuclear power, Montessori evolved a living philosophy of education, child-study methods, age-appropriate curricula and instruction, and programs for adult teacher education.

Creating a Culture of Pa r t n e r s h i p , Kindness, Re s p e c t & Peace

Preview Copy Only But if the school takes upon itself the task of mobilizing the young for the achievement of that perfect development that brings forward man as he can be and is destined to be: conscious of the society, of which he will become a part; master, not slave, of the infinite means that civilization puts at his disposal; equally developed in his moral and social powers as in his physical and intellectual ones; aware of his task, which requires the collaboration and unanimous effort of the whole of mankind – nobody will be overlooked.

Nobody will be rejected; nobody exempt! The whole of mankind will be enrolled in this service, which is a service for peace. Thus, education will become a true and invincible armament for peace! All human beings will grow to be ‘knights of peace’ during that period in their life when what is formed can never again be shed or destroyed, because this is the period of formation when the cornerstones of the human personality are definitely fixed.”

For more information about Montessori, visit www.Montessori.org, read The Montessori Way or How to Raise an Amazing Child, talk to the school admissions director or head of school, or read the other brochures in this series.

Compliments of ...

The Montessori Foundation 19600 East State Road 64 • Bradenton, FL 34212 941-729-9565 • 800-655-5843

www.montessori.org

The Montessori Foundation © 2009

Dr. Maria Montessori saw children as far more than scholars. In her view, each child is a full and complete human being, the mother or father of the man or woman he or she will one day become. Even when very young, the child shares humankind’s hopes, dreams, fears, emotions, and longings. From her perspective, this goes beyond mental health to the very core of one’s inner spiritual life. Montessori programs offer consciously designed experiences that cultivate the child’s sense of independence, self-respect, love of peace, passion for self-chosen work done well, and the ability to respect and celebrate the individual spirit within people of all ages and the value of all life.

Montessori’s spiritual perspective leads Montessori schools to make a conscious effort to organize programs of community service, ranging from daily contributions to others within the class or school setting to community outreach programs that allow children and adults to make a difference in the lives of others. The fundamental idea is one of stewardship. Students also develop a love for the natural world. Natural science and outdoor education are important elements of our children’s experience.

Given the urgent and demanding complexities of everyday life, we find that the Montessori Way is more relevant today than ever before – a way of living in which people treat one another with respect and encouragement, no matter how young or how old. We encourage a culture of partnership rather than authority, competition, and ‘one-ups-manship.’

Preview Copy Only With a strong emphasis on international and multi-cultural education, Montessori schools tend to attract a diverse student body representing many different ethnic, religious, and international backgrounds. The curriculum is international in its heritage and focus and consciously seeks to promote a global perspective and mutual respect. The intent is for children to regard diversity as a call for celebration — not a cause for fear. Older students learn to care about others through community service, and The Montessori Peace Education curriculum supports this goal.

We argue that these are indeed the qualities of a fulfilled and happy life; these are the qualities of a person who is able to engage in today’s pressing issues and challenges.

In keeping with the principles of the Montessori Way, we imagine children graduate from Montessori schools demonstrating:

■ A passion for learning; ■ The ability to choose and engage for long periods of time in work that is personally fulfilling; ■ The ability to identify a social problem and contribute to its solution; ■ The knowledge of how to respect and restore the natural environment; ■ An understanding of cultural and racial differences as a call for celebration rather than a cause for fear; and ■ The accomplishment of self-discipline and responsible choice ... and this hardly a complete list.