Live & Love Montessori

Big World, Big Heart

Diversity and Montessori

One of my worries as a new mom was “Will my kids be exposed to enough diversity?” I live in a small, rural area, and it concerned me. As I looked around my community, I realized that in many regards, it is a very homogeneous place. Racially, politically, religiously, and socially. The vast majority of folks are born and raised here, staying to raise families of their own— living an entire life in the same zip code. 

I literally wanted to offer my children the world; to show them the diverse beauty of our planet, her people and cultures. But I knew living in a rural area added an extra challenge. 

"Learning to have respect for others is a lifetime social skill that positively impacts a child's developing sense of self," says LuAnn Hoover said, Professor of Family Studies and Human Services at Kansas State. "Teaching children to respect differences is also a beginning in the prevention of aggressive and violent behavior."

Thankfully, when I discovered Montessori, I knew all would be well. If I could send my kids to a Montessori school, and cultivate a home in the spirit of Montessori, I trusted they would grow up with open hearts and minds. 

Montessori classrooms always reflect diversity and a connection to the world through hands-on activities. Children receive an opportunity to learn cultural foundations of other peoples and nations, respect their traditions and appreciate cultural differences. Maria Montessori was a truly passionate advocate for peace in the world. She started her work as a doctor for the disabled and later, impoverished, children in Rome. Her passion for marginalized populations laid the foundation for the respect, acceptance, and diversity that is integral to the Montessori method. 

Dr.Montessori’s 3-6 Cultural curriculum includes lessons on Geography and History, with children learning about each continent and the people, cultures, plants and animals that inhabit it. My 3 year old loves to sing the continent song, and tell me that we live in North America (“and also Ohio, mama! We live in two places!”) When her class was studying Asia, she got to experience cultural traditions such as cooking rice and tasting it with chopsticks. The children got to try on and dress up in a sari! She is blessed to attend a school where there are several staff and students from India, Japan, China, Mexico, and Israel, adding another dimension to the diversity already present in the Montessori curriculum. 

Each morning she receives a Judaic lesson, learning through stories and songs, in both English and Hebrew. She began adding pennies to a Tzedakah (charity) box when she was a 2 year old in the toddler room. This activity helped refine her fine motor skills, but the larger lesson was one that Judaism teaches— to do our part in creating a better world by giving charity to those in need. “Maggie has a penny, a penny, a penny. Maggie has a penny for Tzedakah today.” We sang this a lot in the car. Added to her soundtrack of nursery rhymes, it makes me smile thinking about this sweet tradition in the classrooms of Chai Tots. 

Each Friday she folds, twists, and braids Challah dough in the Jewish tradition, and celebrates Shabbat with a class party that includes a special treat and prayers led by a class Ima (mother) and Abba (father). 

Promoting diversity, understanding and implementing value of different cultures teaches children to accept and respect people and their traditions from all over the world.

Home tip:

If you want to add a little diversity to your kids lives, take a tour of a quality Montessori school. You’ll come away from it with a big smile and a big heart to match. 
Check out this link for books on the topic: https://www.google.com/amp/s/bookriot.com/2018/09/19/childrens-books-about-diversity/amp/

That was fast! nap time’s over… See you again soon :)