A growing concern for parents today is the behavior of children toward one another in schools. Every parent worries that their child will be singled out for teasing, their posessions are being taken, and inappropriate language is common. Fast forward to high school where bullying has become terrorizing with devastating effects for those targeted. Fast forward again to corporate America where "business" is synonymous with " lying and cheating ". The better you are at some of these behaviors the more successful you seem to be. Most of us have no idea what can be done.
Developmentally, children learn appropriate social behavior between the ages of three and nine years old. This is when feelings are understood, moral codes are formed, and communication skills honed. Those of us in education are seeing a real need for a social curriculum to be put in place early on, well before middle and high school years.
In Montessori schools, this has always been a priority, and a natural process that takes place within the three year age span, in a responsible and self directed environment. In the past ten years, we have taken this concept to the next level and begun developing specific social curriculums that include care of self, others, and the environment. We are all responsible for our friends, school, community and ultimately our planet.
Local author and Montessori teacher, Kim Paquette developed one such curriculum which she outlines in her book Pathways to Peace, a handbook for teachers and parents. She spent several years here at Auburn Montessori, where the bulk of her curriculum originated. We are pleased to announce that Kim will be the guest speaker at our open house this month, Friday, April 16th at 7 PM. We will be serving refreshments from 7 - 7:30, and an informational DVD and talk with Kim from 7:30 - 8:30. Public welcome! Please RSVP to info@auburnmontessori.com or through this blog! Hope to see you all here.
