One World Montessori

Manifesto for a Happier World

Lisa — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:08:57 +0000

We all want to lead a happy life. But in our quest for ‘progress’ we’ve been pursuing priorities that put our happiness at risk – not just for us as individuals, but for society as a whole.

Our collective aim should be a society with the greatest possible human happiness and wellbeing – with policies, institutions and social attitudes that help people to lead flourishing lives. This is the spirit behind a resolutionwhich was adopted last year by all 193 United Nations member states, calling for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth”, and one which promotes “happiness and the well-being of all peoples”.

You may read the rest of this piece, including Mark Williamson’s 12 suggestions for political leaders, institutions, and individuals, at My Manifesto for a Happier World on DailyGood.

New Research Shows Greater Gains for Students in Classic Montessori Programs

Lisa — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:28:19 +0000

New research into preschool children’s development in Montessori environments by Dr. Angeline Lillard of the University of Virginia has shown that children in classic Montessori programs, such as One World’s, show larger gains in executive function, social problem solving, and academic skills.

The Primary Staff would like to share Dr. Lillard’s study, Preschool Children’s Development in Classic Montessori, Supplemented Montessori, and Conventional Programs; they hope that you find it interesting.

Recommended Blog: Name Calling, Insults, and Teasing

Lisa — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:48:55 +0000

Name Calling, Insults, and Teasing: A Guide to Anger, Conflict, and Respect, is a blog published by Dr. Jeff Rubin. Dr. Rubin has taught conflict resolution at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, as well as at other institutions including clinics, correctional facilities, and public schools.

His blog features suggestions for working through conflict and supporting respectful relationships, often using examples from literature, history, and comics to help illustrate his ideas. The Primary faculty hope that you will find some of the ideas presented in this blog helpful.

How to Prepare Your Child’s Home Environment

Julia Arndt — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 05:00:33 +0000

A beautiful, organized, and uncluttered home environment can help in many ways: dressing and undressing is simplified; the favorite book and toy is always within reach; the child can participate in the life of the family and feel needed; challenging work that focuses the child’s attention and fulfills her needs is always available; a more fun, creative, and peaceful life comes into being for the whole family.

The Joyful Child Montessori Company has a very informative article advising parents on how to prepare their young child’s environment at home to facilitate and maximize independent learning and exploration.

You may read the article here.

Shared with permission of The Joyful Child Montessori Company: www.thejoyfulchild.us

Free Montessori Webinar for Parents

Julia Arndt — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:31:55 +0000

We encourage parents to attend the free 45-minute webinar Finding Motivation the Montessori Way on Thursday November 1, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM PDT.

Motivation is too often thought of in terms of carrot and stick methods of rewards and punishments. Join Maren Schmidt, a certified Montessori educator with over 25 years experience, as she shares how self-motivation develops the Montessori Way.

During this webinar, Maren will explore the following:

Why rewards and punishments rarely motivate behavior for the long term
What three psychological needs motivate each of us to be our best
How Montessori environments of school and home support these three critical need

Protecting Children During and After a Horrific Event

Lisa — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:13:13 +0000

In this age of instantaneous worldwide media, news about a tragedy can be broadcast to faraway places immediately, and coverage can continue for days following an event. Whether something terrible has happened locally or somewhere far away, it can be difficult to know how to discuss these occurrences with your children, and how to help them cope.

P. Donohue Shortridge has been a Montessorian since 1980. She is a family coach and she speaks and writes about children and their families in the American culture. Her article, Protecting Children During and After a Horrific Event, offers some guidance on how to talk with your children about these events.

For additional information about P. Donohue Shortridge, please visit her website.

The Connection between Dr. Maria Montessori and Gandhi

Julia Arndt — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:36:42 +0000

One World Montessori observes Gandhi’s birthday every year in the beginning of October. Gandhi’s practice of satyagraha had distinct influence on the development of Dr. Maria Montessori’s perspective on peace education and fostered the start of many Montessori schools for the lower caste systems in India. Gandhi was very interested in the Montessori system of education and he personally taught the children in his Ashrams using a technique similar to the one Dr. Montessori developed. Montessori met Mahatma Gandhi in London in October 1931. On October 28, 1931, at Maria Montessori’s invitation, Gandhi spoke at the Montessori Training College in London. You can read his speech here.

During Montessori’s stay in India (1939 – 1946), she and Gandhi communicated with one another. One of the letters Montessori wrote to Gandhi is on display at his Ashram in Sevagram. Montessori and Gandhi both strongly believed that to have real peace, we must begin with the children. In honor of this commitment to peace, we acknowledge Gandhi’s birthday each year.

The Prepared Environment at Home

Julia Arndt — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:06:35 +0000

One of the fundamental principles behind Maria Montessori’s educational theory is that the child needs to learn in a “prepared environment.” Order, simplicity, beauty and accessibility are fundamental to a prepared environment. This article by Maren Schmidt offers great suggestions on how to view your home from the child’s perspective and make the necessary changes to prepare your home environment.

Read the article here: The Prepared Environment at Home

27 Non-School Skills Children Need

Julia Arndt — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:08:12 +0000

We all know that there are life skills that even the best educational opportunities currently do not provide. We recommend that you read this article that lists 27 life skills that are crucial for children to learn before they reach adulthood so that they can become productive, responsible members of society. The article provides suggestions on how to teach these skills to the young members of your family.

Read the article here: 27 Skills Your Child Needs to Know That She’s Not Getting in School

Why Does the Paper Crane Symbolize Peace?

Julia Arndt — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:40:06 +0000

At One World Montessori School, we join millions of people around the world every year in acknowledging the International Day of Peace. For the week leading up to the event, we decorate our school with origami cranes, which are a symbol if peace. The touching story of Sadako Sasaki explains why the crane has become a symbol of peace.

Sadako was only two year old when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima in Japan where she lived with her family. Ten years later, she had developed Leukemia as a result of the radiation from the bomb. Soon after, Sadako began folding a thousand cranes. It is a Japanese tradition to fold a thousand cranes for someone who is sick to wish them a long life, prosperity and good health.

Sadako was only able to fold 644 cranes before her premature death at twelve years old. Her classmates folded the remaining 356 cranes so that one thousand cranes were buried with her. As a result of her effort, a peace park stands in Hiroshima today. The park has a statue of Sadako holding an origami crane in her arms.

Each year, children have been involved in projects, such as our celebration, as a gift to Sadako’s memory, and as a symbol of their desire for peace and for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Though she could not save her own life with one thousand cranes, her story may yet save millions.