Dr. Montessori once said, “Averting war is the work of politicians; establishing peace is the work of education.” There are different approaches schools can take to implement peace in their classroom, but at MMS, peace is ingrained in every aspect of our teachings. Using the Montessori Method, peace is taught through room setup, social interactions and even in times of disagreement. Each of these details creates a safe educational environment for students to learn.
Environment
One way we facilitate peace in the environment is through the room’s setup. We ensure the space is nice and tidy to assist students with concentration when doing their work. Independent work is an important facet of the Montessori Method, so giving children the proper setup to explore their interests is essential. Our guides also act as an ally for each student – instead of being taught at, they work alongside students with gentle instruction.
Respect
Respect is the basis of many teachings from Dr. Montessori. It is an important building block for trust, relationship development and learning accountability. Respect for others and self is a lesson our students practice every day at our school. We treat each child with respect, and in return, they give us respect back. We credit this mutual understanding to why our environments are so peaceful.
Conflict management
Although we try our best to keep the environments as harmonious as possible, it is natural for conflict to arise. When this happens, we allow students to visit the peace table and talk through their feelings. Everyone has a turn to discuss how the incident makes them feel, then together work toward a solution, ensuring everyone leaves the table feeling better. So, even through not-so-peaceful situations, we encourage harmony and recognition of a lesson to be learned.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Montessori Method and how we implement it at MMS, reach out to us today!