Peace Education

Peace education is a holistic and transformative approach that aims to cultivate not just the absence of conflict but the active presence of peace in the hearts and minds of individuals. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that peace was an intrinsic aspect of human nature, waiting to be discovered and nurtured.

In the Montessori philosophy, education becomes a powerful catalyst for the promotion of peace. It emphasizes the development of empathy, understanding, and a profound respect for diversity. Through self-directed learning, children and learners of all ages are encouraged to explore their own potential and that of the world around them, fostering a sense of responsibility and interconnectedness.

Montessori's approach to peace education goes beyond simply teaching about conflict resolution; it emphasizes the creation of an environment that supports the growth of peaceful and socially responsible individuals. It encourages learners to embrace cooperation, empathy, and a sense of shared humanity. By cultivating these values, Montessori-inspired peace education equips individuals with the tools to address not only personal conflicts but also the broader challenges facing our global community.

Ultimately, Dr. Maria Montessori's vision of peace education is a call to action, inspiring learners to become advocates for peace, tolerance, and justice. It seeks to empower individuals to contribute to a world where differences are celebrated, conflicts are resolved through dialogue, and where the collective dream of a more harmonious and compassionate global society can be realized.
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​Below you will find some resources that we hope you will explore and use as a guide to help you navigate the conversations you have with your children.
Disability History & awareness resources
10 Strategies for Talking to Kids About Disability

For More information Regarding Disability History and Awareness, Please check out this document by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
 
Click here to see what's going on at the Arc of King county.

​Book Resources:
Picture Books To Help Kids Understand Physical Disabilities and Differences (pre-k)
Children’s Books: Portrayals of People with Disabilities (pre-k through 12th grade)
A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond [Autism family and nonverbal communication]
Too Much!: An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutiérrez [Sensory Processing Disorder]
​Mighty Mara by Carina Ho & Jesse Byrd [Wheelchair user]
Dancing Hands: A Story of Friendship in Filipino Sign Language by Joanna Que & Charina Marquez [Deafness]
Come Over to My House by Eliza Hull & Sally Rippin [Achondroplasia, Cerebral Palsy, Blindness, Intellectual Disabilities & more]
Remarkble Remy by ​Melanie Heyworth [Autism]
Bravery Grows by Dr. Melissa Giglio & Daisy Geddes [Selective Mutism]

lgbtqia+ resources
Here are just a few organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community. We'd encourage you to check them out.​
Book Resources:

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism and Social Justice

Montessori Children’s House stands for peace and justice, and we are devoted to continually addressing the injustices that continue to plague our local, national and global communities. In our mission statement, we channel our drive to support our students through nature AND nurture. Now is the time for nurture- to have deep and powerful conversation about racism and social injustices ingrained into our society. As a community that values diversity, inclusivity and equity, we are dedicated to not only fighting racism, but to creating a world that is actively anti-racist. It starts with our students - your children - and together we will stand up to hatred, bigotry and ugliness of every kind in our community and beyond.

​This journey does not end until justice is freely available to every human being in this world.
Book Resources
Media Resources
University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education: An Interview with Dr. Howard Stevenson – Talking to Children After Racial Incidents

Teaching for Change – Teaching About Race

Washington Post – We Need More White Parents to Talk to Their Kids About Race- Especially Now 

Teaching Tolerance – Beyond the Golden Rule

National Association for the Education of Young Children –“Embracing Anti-Bias Education” 

Youth Activist, Tamika Mallory's, speech in Minneapolis protest ​
Social Justice Resources
Talking to Children About Race and Other Identities and Complicated and Heated Topics
Source: Rosetta Lee​

General Conversation Resources

Infographic from The Children’s Community School in Philidelphia and their resources.

Pretty Good's Expansion of resources

Raising Race Conscious Children, a Resource for Talking About Race with Young Children

Beyond the Golden Rule and Speak Up. 
The first is a parenting guide (30 pages or so), and the second is a strategy guide for how to speak up in different situations when you encounter bias, prejudice, or discrimination.

ADL's Table Talk 
Tips and tools for engaging in dialogue about current events like representation of diversity in dolls, Islamaphobia, gun violence, protests etc.

Howard Stevenson on Talking to Children after Racial Incidents

Colorlines Magazine's Dos and Don'ts of Talking to Kids of Color About White Supremacy 
(written post Charlottesville, still relevant today)

Helping Children Cope with Frightening News

For Parents of Color Talking to Children of Color

Fare of the Free Child (Podcast) 

Trying to Parent My Black Teenagers Through Pandemic and Protest (Article) 

For White Parents Talking to Children of Color

‘A man was unjustly killed here.’ Interracial families face challenge explaining George Floyd’s death to their children (article) 

Raising a Child of Color in America—While White
Article written for families with transracially adopted children, but many points are salient.

For White Parents Talking to White Kids

Raising White Kids with Jennifer Harvey 

For Educators Talking to Kids

NPR Q/A with Jesse Hagopian, co-author of Teaching for Black Lives

More

Affirming Black Lives in School 
Amazing curated resource document created by organization Albert -Teachers, Administrators, Students and Families

Scaffolded Resources to facilitate growth for white folks to become allies, and eventually accomplices for anti-racist work.
Another curated resource by Stamborski, Zimmermann, and Gregory.

Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners: books for children and young adults
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26 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance

21 Anti-Racism Videos to Share with Kids

Why Did It Happen?: Helping Young Children Cope in a Violent World by Janice Cohn (book for adults)

Jenny is Scared!: When Something Sad Happens in the World by Carol Shuman (for youth)

The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm by LeVar Burton & Susan Schaefer Bernardo (for youth)
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A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes (for youth) 

Public Statements

A STATEMENT ON ISRAEL - OCTOBER 2023
Dear MCH Community,
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Our hearts are with our Israeli families and all of those in the world who are suffering from the recent violent attacks on Israeli’s innocent civilians. At the moment we have many members of our school community that are hurting, worried, terrified, and I imagine a whole other host of emotions that I wouldn’t be able to even begin to identify. No child or family should ever have to endure the violence or fear that so many are facing right now. For those families who are directly impacted, we are holding space for your pain, grief, and worry.
As we confront the horrifying events that are occurring now, we as a school remain vigilant in our actions for creating a different future for our children through the power of education. Drawing inspiration from our Montessori values rooted in peace education, we reaffirm our dedication to nurturing not only the academic growth, but first and foremost to nurturing the emotional and moral development of our students.
Please reach out if there is any way we can support your family.

With a heavy heart and commitment to creating a brighter future through daily action,

Angela Spayde
Head of School
Black History Month, February 2023
In February, we as a nation celebrate Black History Month. It is but one of many opportunities we have to reflect on the countless contributions that African American’s have made to our nation’s history. Barack Obama said that “Black History Month is about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America.”
In order to promote antiracism and challenge a society built on systemic inequities, MCH is dedicated to amplifying the voices of black political and civil rights pioneers of the past and the present that have impacted, overcome, and given rise to the countless systemic barriers of inequity. We acknowledge and celebrate the trailblazers who have made strides in their field and have left examples for generations to come. Throughout February, will be sharing glimpses into what is happening in our classrooms to acknowledge and celebrate black history.
Here are some ideas of how you and your family can celebrate Black History Month locally.

Antiracism is a practice that must be instilled as young as infancy/toddlerhood. At MCH, part of the way we do this is by acknowledging, celebrating, and normalizing diversity. Books about diversity and inclusion in the classroom are a beautiful way to instill antiracist values in our youngest children. We have also ensured we include books specifically about black history and culture such as, Dream Big, Little One and Follow Your Dreams, Little One by Vashti Harrison in Kinnikinnick. Prioritizing these values is a year-round pursuit in all classrooms at MCH.

Diversity, inclusion, and antiracism are practices that continue on in our Early Childhood classrooms. While these practices are instilled throughout the entirety of the school year, we make sure that we emphasize their importance and pay specific attention to black history, stories, and voices during the month of February.

MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY: JUNE 3, 2020
Montessori Children’s House stands for peace and justice, and we are devastated by the injustices that continue to plague our local, national and global communities. In our mission statement, we channel our drive to support our students through nature AND nurture. Now is the time for nurture, as we begin a deep and powerful conversation about the racism and social injustices ingrained into the events of these past days.

In our Portrait of a Graduate, we define what we hope our graduates will be once they move on from MCH. Three of these qualities ring truer now than ever before:

  • “They see themselves as contributing members of their local and global community, and they use their strengths and passions to make a difference in the world.” 
  • “Their developing sense of respect and empathy empowers them to become true advocates for others, themselves, and the world around them.” 
  • “They welcome diversity and value differences by pursuing connections with others in meaningful ways with genuine acceptance.”

As a community that values diversity, inclusivity and equity, we invite you to join us in not only fighting racism, but in creating a world that is actively anti-racist. It starts with our students - your children - and together we will stand up to hatred, bigotry and ugliness of every kind in our community and beyond.

Thank you for joining us on this important journey. It will not end until justice is freely available to every human being in this world.
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A Statement on Palestine - October 2023
Maria Montessori once said, “We shall walk together on this path, for all things are part of the universe are connected with each other to form one whole unity.” These words resound today with timeless truth, reminding us that the interconnectedness of all things within the universe is an unwavering reality and that we have a responsibility towards one another. Today, we stand in solidarity with all of the people in Palestine and Israel who are grieving the tragic and unimaginable scale of loss of their loved ones. We at MCH remain resolute in our commitment to dismantling oppressive systems of power and injustice through peace education. We work towards a more equitable future by teaching our children that the bonds of unity transcend divisive structures.