The aim of such an education indicates the desire to contribute to the good of all, to share in this cosmic goodness.” —Maria Montessori

Philanthropy is one way in which people recognize their connection to each other, and such service to others is an important part of the Montessori philosophy. No matter what their interests or ages, all children can demonstrate generosity and recognize their connection to other people in their classroom and around the globe. As a school, we aim to serve those in our immediate neighborhood of the District of Columbia, as well as members of our global community.

At Aidan each classroom community nurtures an ethic of caring. Generosity becomes unconscious - it is the connection that exists between all members of the group. It’s not a set of rules, but an attitude that is absorbed, a product of the experiences of everyday living. In addition, some classes undertake projects such as fixing lunches for homeless shelters, visiting the elderly or volunteering at soup kitchens.

The Parent Association forms a Community Service Committee each year that organizes school-wide drives for various causes such as the Bright Beginnings Center in DC or the Walk for Water project in West Africa.  Parents are encouraged to involve their children in the drives and participate in activities. We also encourage families to model generosity and to talk with and read to children about giving to others.

Recommended Books:

For Children

• Anna Shares by Barbara Baker
• Barry, the Bravest Saint Bernard by Lynn Hall
• The Boy Who Held Back the Sea by Lenny Hort
• Bread Comes to Life by George Levenson
• A Circle of Friends by Glora Carmi 
• The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein 
• In My Mother’s House by Ann Nolan Clark
• The 100th Customer by K. T. Hao and Byung-Gyu Kim
• Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Martin Luther King Jr.: Dreams for a Nation by Louise Quayle
• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
• Mrs. Rose’s Garden by Elaine Greenstein
• Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
• The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
• Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr 
• Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi by Tomie dePaola
• The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde

For Parents