Dr. Maria Montessori’s work with children, although centered through observation and education transcended both these forms to a level of content that resulted in her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Montessori Philosophy is not just a method of education, but it is a broad reaching, indeed worldwide, social movement. It is an inspiration of the spirit of humankind, this idea that the child is to be revered as the hope for mankind and that within the child is the potential for a lasting peace, a “peace through education”. This inspiration of thought was radical 100 years ago and is importantly and hopefully as relevant and needed today.
Maria Montessori envisioned peace as much more than the cessation of war, in her understanding, peace was a positive state. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, it is a whole state that is naturally present and attained within the hearts of humankind through an amazing new definition of education. She was a visionary who had an incredible ability to take abstract conceptions and offer them to the world in a practical, effective manner that redefines all of our previous notions of peace and education. We proudly and humbly carry on her legacy to a hopeful future.
During this time of year, as we offer our wishes to all for a Peaceful Holiday Season, we also offer the hope that this is a lasting Peace, a true Peace that flourishes within all hearts this New Year. We also offer for reflection and consideration, Dr. Montessori’s hope and insight…
“Times have changed, and science has made great progress, and so has our work; but our principles have only been confirmed, and along with them our conviction that mankind can hope for a solution to it’s problems, among the most urgent are those of peace and unity, only by turning it’s attention and energies to the discovery of the child and to the development of the great potentialities of the human personality in the course of it’s formation.”
Dr. Maria Montessori 1948