Lower School Blog: The Power of Community in the Lower School

Potential and Self-Improvement

The first plane child is a remarkable creature who transforms from a being full of potential to the realization of that potential. They start as infants—unable to walk, talk, reason, coordinate, think, question, and find joy—and slowly acquire these human qualities through their experiences in their place and time. The young child has a tendency toward exploration, manipulation, self-perfection, and exactness, and repetition encourages the acquisition of these traits. 

When a young child joins the Young Children’s Community (YCC) here at Aidan they are met with an ordered and prepared environment. In their classroom, they have many opportunities to engage with each other and a rich environment that enables the internalization of important concepts (as we discussed in October’s 30 Minute Montessori, the hand plays an incredible part in the child’s development).

The external order of the prepared environment helps create an internal structure for the child. The child is self-centered (as they should be) as they do this important work of self-formation.

"We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity. — Dr. Maria Montessori

"The adult works to improve his environment while the child works to improve himself." — Dr. Maria Montessori 

Unity and Empathy

In these unique communities, the children also contribute to all aspects of their lives together. Each child is given the opportunity to work individually to contribute to a caring, supportive community both practically and emotionally.

From the first day they enter the YCC, the child begins to practice supporting their peers. There is an innate empathy for living things in the young child and that is harnessed and encouraged through Grace and Courtesy lessons. Conversations, social stories, and role-playing are essential tools in the Primary or the Children’s House. 

"There is a great sense of community within the Montessori classroom, where children of differing ages work together in an atmosphere of cooperation rather than competitiveness. There is respect for the environment and for the individuals within it, which comes through experience of freedom within the community." — Dr. Maria Montessori

Diversity and Peace

This work of empathy and perspective-taking is essential to the whole development of the child. And Montessori education is indeed for the WHOLE child, not simply the academic parts of the child, but every single aspect of their being.

Part of that education is the sharing of our global community. The culture and traditions of our diverse and rich communities are shared with the young child. In Primary specifically, we share all the information with stories, books, and songs—and whenever possible, we like to enrich their understanding and experience with a tangible piece of that tradition.

As seen in the picture below of the Redbud community, the children are experiencing a Shofar (a ram’s horn used to call to prayer) to celebrate and learn about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. 

If your family have traditions and observances that may not be celebrated by our whole school community, please reach out to your child’s teacher and our Diversity Coordinator, Julian Denizard, and share it with our community here at Aidan. 

“Preventing conflict is the work of politics; establishing peace is the work of education.” — Dr. Maria Montessori

The child in the first plane is not innately concerned with those around them. However, our work to respect and support the whole child allows them to develop an understanding of themselves—and thus their part in their community and in the world. 

Sincerely,

Gwynne Manty, Redbud Teacher and APF Coordinator