Peace Day With Montessori

On September 25th, 2015, Qingdao Amerasia International School celebrated the International Day of Peace!

Throughout QAIS, we subscribe to the view of Dr. Maria Montessori, that “Peace is the work of education.” Montessori programs, like our Toddler, Early Childhood, and Grade 1 classes, help children to develop socially, emotionally, and spiritually (as well as intellectually and physically) to understand their role in a community, and to care for other members of their community. Our celebrations with Toddler and Early Childhood classes on September 25th were a precious example of that approach.

First, the Toddler class invited the administrative team in for a party! The students, ages 18-36 months, sang songs that they had been working on, and then served snack for the administrators (which the students had helped to make). This activity reflected the importance of grace and courtesy in the Montessori Toddler curriculum – from the very beginning, children learn to be courteous to others, and to serve others.

(It was amazing to be served banana muffins and orange juice by my 2-year old daughter, and to sit with her classmates and my colleagues for a very civilized snack. They do it every day; I think we could learn something from them.)

Later, the Toddlers joined their friends in Early Childhood for a sing-along! As Ms. Katy Porray played guitar, and Mrs. Emilie La Roux played recorder, the children sang their favorite songs about peace – ‘This Little Light of Mine’, ‘Peace is the World Smiling’, and more.

Peace education is an ongoing part of our curriculum at Qingdao Amerasia International School.