February 17, 2005


One World Montessori School honors cultural diversity

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Students at One World Montessori preschool Almaden celebrated the Chinese New Year in style last week.

Mingjin Jiang shares with Montessori preschoolers the fine art of dumpling making. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Fifty pairs of small hands shaped dumplings, folded paper and cut out and created lion masks and dragons and learned about the centuries-old traditions. It happens every year at Montessori and not just for the Chinese New Year. Many ethnic holidays are studied and observed. But for this traditional holiday celebrated by Chinese, Koreans and Japanese around the world, it welcomes the year 4703 on the Asian calendar.

And the preschoolers are eager to honor the holiday, dressed in brightly colored brocade authentic clothing.

“We expose our children to all cultures,” said Rebecca Keith, founder of One World Montessori School on Dent Avenue since 1979. “And introduce kids to how different people find meaning in their lives. We encourage peace through the knowledge of diversity.”

Tricia Jiang, mother of 4-year-old Capriana and 2-year-old Trenton, presented a slide show teaching the preschoolers about Chinese New Year. She explained that the calendar is based on the lunar cycle with the New Year festivities culminating on the 15th day when the moon is full. It is the celebration of spring and this year is the year of the rooster. People born under this sign [there are 12 cycles] are meticulous, attractive, hard working and friendly. Other animals in the 12-year cycles are the monkey, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, rabbit, tiger, rat, ox, dog and pig. Jiang asks the children what each animal sounds like and the young chorus hisses, neighs and bahs on cue.

Mingjin Jiang’s presentation of calligraphy. He was once a dragon dancer in China.

The children sat cross-legged on the floor, mesmerized as Jiang explained the lantern festival on the full moon, which culminates the New Year. In preparation for the spring celebration, the house is cleaned and new clothes are worn. The lucky color is red, believed to bring prosperity. The home is decorated with flowers and fruit. Families visit and eat together, with a coin hidden in the dumplings for good luck. Firecrackers are lit to rid celebrants of bad omens. The children were riveted, their young minds expanding to the world of other cultures.

“Montessori is all about the child,” said Nivisha Mehta, mother of 5-year-old Avneesh and 4-year-old Amitej. “They teach the children to be independent, learn to resolve their own problems and fundamental values. Within six months here Amitej was reading.”

Mehta shared that they celebrate all major holidays of the world’s diverse cultures. Parent Tricia Jiang spearheaded the Chinese New Year event with husband Kevin reading the zodiac story and her in-laws, Mingjin and Shirong, assisting the eager students in dumpling making. Mingjin presented a calligraphy demonstration where each character means one word.

One World Montessori School is a nonprofit corporation directed by parent-elected members. The founder, Rebecca Keith, is a 30-year educator and serves as primary administrator. She has established unique curriculums such as peace education, United Nations and Earth Day celebrations. She co-founded the Montessori Phoenix Project, which brings free training and materials to impoverished regions of the world.

But the main event for the children is the Chinese New Year celebration at One World Montessori and the children couldn’t wait for the dragon dance. They took their handmade masks with trailing pink, green and gold trains and eagerly showed off their creativity and moves, jumping up and down and extending paw hands. The preschoolers are proud of their work, happy with the celebration and in the process have learned an appreciation for other cultures.

For more information on One World Montessori, call (408) 723-5140 or go to www.oneworldmontessori.org.