Teach Your Children Well

Acts of violence and hate are becoming commonplace in our culture.  With this past weekend’s tragic shootings in Arizona, the recent cyber-bullying related suicides, you don’t have to look far to find evidence of just how commonplace they have become. As a nation, we shake our heads and wonder what is happening. Why is there so much hate and intolerance?

As a country we are all in agreement: something is going wrong somewhere and we have to do something about it. Being a respectful, tolerant, compassionate human being is fundamental to our survival as a species; it is certainly worthy of inclusion within our schools. 

Deeply concerned, the country has responded.  Schools all over the country are passing anti-bullying policies, implementing curriculum, and adding teacher development workshops to their school improvement plans. There are countless anti-violence, anti-bullying programs that have been designed and implemented so schools can work to become violence and bully free.  In some cases, this get-tough approach is further supported by legislation. 

David Bornstein’s NY Times Opinionator article, Fighting Bullying with Babies, offers insight as to what type of program may work best to address the problem.

Just as research has shown that humans are hardwired to be aggressive and selfish, there is also research that demonstrates that there is a biological basis for human compassion.  In fact, engaging children in regular, on-going activities that provide a true benefit to another human being can systematically develop altruism. Bornstein profiles a research-based program, Roots of Empathy,  that utilizes monthly visits form babies (K-7^th grade) that has demonstrated significant short and long term benefits.  Schools that use the Roots Of Empathy program have become cultures of caring, with many opportunities for students and staff to practice the cognitive dimension of empathy. 

As the Head at Brickton Montessori School, I know how much Montessori philosophy is steeped in practices that develop compassion and respect. The opportunity to develop empathy is not an add-on curriculum in Montessori; it is as integral to the daily experience as any academic exercise. Our classrooms are multi-age environments spanning a three year cycle of work; and we make a point to cluster different programs so that they are in close proximity to one another.  Across the hall from early childhood classrooms are our lower elementary classrooms.  The Middle School is next door to the toddler room, and across the hall from the toddler classroom is the Upper Elementary classroom.  Next door to the Upper Elementary is another early childhood classroom.  Spontaneously and naturally, our students are able to experience what is the basis of the Roots of Empathy program.  When the older children hear a younger child cry, immediately, they reach out, wanting to soothe and help and make it all better.  On days when all is not going well, when frustration begins to mount, they can easily turn their attention to service in another classroom.  There is nothing quite so calming as sitting in the toddler classroom watching the children work or watching them on the playground outside.  Intrinsic to the way we do things in Montessori is the nurturing of empathy and compassion.  It happens as a way of life every moment of every day in the most natural way. 

I don’t profess to say that Montessori schools are the single answer to our complex social problems of violence and intolerance.  But it is a start; a good start.  It is the start that Maria Montessori envisioned as essential to a future of hope and harmony among all people.