November 30, 2007

 

Dear Montessori Friends,

 

            How did you celebrate the 100th year of Maria Montessori’s profound impact on the lives of children, their families, and all of us who follow her?

            As the teaching head of the “Children’s House” which I founded 30 years ago, I searched for a program that would be a meaningful anniversary event, not only for our school, but also to honor the Montessori method we follow.

            I knew I wanted to put together a Peaceful Living in the Home and School program.  I also knew how inspiring the AMS, AMI, NAMTA workshops and peace retreats have been for me over the years.  We are, however, a small school and could only do something small, but it could be different and still be special.  It was both, and it was also wonderful.  You might like to try this kind of format, too.

            Parents with their children, parents without their children, and preschool and elementary staff were all invited on a Saturday morning, 9:00-11:30am, and/or to a longer 9:00am – 1:30pm session where box lunches were served.  The program was held in a large middle school building. Teachers could either watch a group of 3 to 6 year old children and their parents participate in a “peace camp” run by M.J. and Jerry Park from Little Friends for Peace, held on the school stage, or they could join other parents who were watching a presentation by Cathleen Haskins of Teach Peace.  These parents’ children, ages 6 to 10, were in another room where a local educator, Rob Beck, was intriguing them with his Picturing Peace display and showing them how to take their own pictures with digital cameras.

            These various sessions lasted an hour, after which snacks were served in another room.  Then, for the next hour, the 3 to 6 year old children went to watch videos while their parents attended Cathleen Haskins presentation; the 6 to 10 year old children and their parents went up on the stage for their “peace camp” with the Parks; and teachers attended whichever presentation they hadn’t been to yet. 

            At 11:30 the morning-only people went home and the “lunch” adults enjoyed their box lunches while listening to Jonathan Wolff, director of Learning for Life, while any remaining children were entertained with gym activities.

            The Saturday morning time slot made it possible for parents to join teachers, many of whom had been given a Friday No School Day or free admission to encourage their attendance.

            Everyone who came enjoyed the program, and the interactions of children, parents, teachers, and presenters at the conference made it so special that I urge my colleagues to host something similar.  At our school during the immediate week that followed, our children who had attended were singing the new songs they learned and seemed to show a deepened delight in peaceful actions.  It continues to this day.

            I wish all of you to have the same joy I am feeling.

                                                                                               

                                                                                                Peace,

 

Emily R. Forslin

Montessori Adventure School

                                                                                                Appleton, Wisconsin