March 1, 2007

One World Montessori preschoolers celebrate Chinese New Year

Jackson Williams leads the lion dance.

In keeping with Maria Montessori’s philosophy of teaching the ‘whole child,’ preschoolers at the One World Montessori School on Dent Avenue recently immersed themselves in activities celebrating the Chinese New Year celebration of the Year of the Golden Pig.

Montessori education incorporates foreign languages, classes in the arts and parent education. Teachers are called ‘directors’ and their role is to guide and direct the child, rather than simply lecture their students. The directors are charged with “kindling the flame of interest," then must step back to allow the child the joy and growth that comes from exploration and discovery.

At last week’s New Year celebration the smiles on their faces made it obvious that the youngsters enjoyed learning calligraphy, dancing the lion dance and making Chinese lanterns and dumplings.