Highland Mill Celebrates Peace Day

"As with most things, Dr. Montessori did not think that meant children needed to be lectured on the subject, but rather that they needed to be given an opportunity to discover peace for themselves. ​"

Each year, students at Highland Mill join together with children around the world to celebrate International Peace Day. Here are some photos of our whole school celebration.

All quotes from this wonderful Montessori article about Peace Day from Greenspring Montessori in Maryland.

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The benefits of peace education are not just altruistic, but eminently practical – no matter your politics.

Peace is an amazing concept, a useful tool, and, through Montessori education, an attainable goal.  ​

 From a very early age, our students learn to think globally about the human race and its place in the entire system of our planet.  As they get older and their thinking becomes more abstract, they learn more about the ways that different cultures have coexisted with the geography and biology of their parts of the world to meet the basic needs that all humans have in common.

Once students get to our Adolescent program, they explore questions like, “Are all humans created equal?” and “What brings humans together into groups?”  

... these questions are taken very seriously and are never assumed to have simple answers. 

"May Peace Prevail on Earth"

Peace is also, essentially, a habit that Montessori students learn.

Lessons in Grace and Courtesy and the Peace Tables we have in every classroom teach our students the habit of viewing and treating others with respect, and then to continue to try to forge understandings where they encounter conflict.