“The new education must foster an understanding of the real values of humanity and gratitude must be felt for those workers upon whom human life depended. If man was not appreciated, if there was no respect and veneration for human life, howcan we expect or hope that men will become friends and work in peaceful collaboration?”
Dr. Maria Montessori, “A New World and Education” (Scotland, Nov. 1946)
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we thought this season would serve as a great reminder of the importance of practicing kindness and gratitude. Dr. Montessori once said, “They (children) will imitate us in any case. Let us treat them, therefore, with all the kindness which we would wish to help develop in them.” It’s important to focus on these behaviors in the home and school environments so a sense of appreciation is instilled in them. Here are some ways we practice gratitude in our environments and our recommendations to try at home.
Show off your manners
Like Dr. Montessori said, children imitate what they see. Keep this in mind when you’re out doing things like holiday shopping and have an employee assisting you, or in your home when your child helps with chores. The act of saying “thank you” will stick with your child. Showing others that you care and are thankful for their time is a great, simple way to show gratitude.
Perform acts of kindness
A little kindness goes a long way, and this is especially true when modeling behaviors for your children. Go out of your way to perform acts of kindness and when your child asks about them, explain why you behaved in that manner. Showing kindness toward family, friends and even strangers will not go unnoticed by children, as they are very observant of your behaviors. Perhaps you could write a holiday card to a family member, make a craft for someone special or help a stranger out if they need assistance. There are many ways to perform acts of kindness, and there is always an opportunity to do so!
Be consistent
Gratitude should not just be practiced around the holiday season – it is a year-round activity! Consistency is key when modeling behaviors, so using manners and participating in acts of kindness should be on the top of your mind daily. Structure and regularity increase children’s confidence and can help them feel secure. The holiday season is a great time to introduce these themes of gratitude and kindness, but be sure to put them into practice all year long!
If you are interested in learning more about MMS and the lessons we teach, contact us today!