Highlights this week
The crater of civilization in Tanzania
Singing ‘We are the World’ – Michael Jackson
Save the children in Tanzania
O’Brien School for the Maasai and Montessori
President Obama – Singing enriches cultural and emotional building blocks
Montessori comes to Africa (5 – 5)
The similarities in this story and that of Maria Montessori’s school in the slums of Italy bare resemblance. While the Maasai children are taken under the wing of the families and tribes and taught the ways of their fathers and grand fathers, there is an absence of basic skills needed to prosper now and in the future. In the beginning Dr. Montessori provided the children with the everyday survival tools for self grooming and learning. She may have offered instruction without the beautiful pink tower, or bell materials, and perhaps practical life materials were made from local sources as the children were taught the life skills needed for that time. The philosophy of Montessori education is timeless, the materials ever evolving. Montessori education has the unique ability to go back in time and educate the tribes of Africa, bringing them into the 21st Century, and offering hope for the young ones of tomorrow. Montessori can create the leaders of tomorrow, Montessori must create these leaders.
We are very excited to incorporate the Montessori approach to education and are working together to implement strategies such as Montessori teacher education, volunteer Montessori teachers from abroad, on-line Montessori instruction for those unable to leave Moshi, or funding for enrolment in the neighbouring Montessori training centre in Kenya, and materials. It is my belief that we have a collective responsibility to commit to global education and give all children a reason to hope for the future, one child at a time.
In the words of President Obama who recently spent time in his homeland of Kenya-
“With the right education, a child of any race, and faith, and station, can overcome whatever barriers stand in their way and fulfill their God-given potential”
“As neighbours, we have a responsibility to each other and to our citizens, and by working together, we can take important steps forward to advance prosperity and security and liberty”.
Obama (2009)
Montessorians I tell you that we are each the authors of our own lives. This is the opportunity to make a difference, to support the belief we hold so deep within our hearts, the passion that drives us to share knowledge everyday of our lives. Paula Glasgow from the Canadian College of Teachers has offered the language materials made by one of her teachers. Thank you so very much Paula and staff. Please contact me and share your ideas at www.montessorimozarts.com and perhaps together we can bring Montessori education to these beautiful children of God.
As I glance around the town and countryside of Moshi, I make a promise to myself to look outward to all of God’s creatures and work tirelessly to remind my colleagues and friends that one person truly can make a difference. It takes each and every citizen to make an effort and reach out, knowing that we are needed and can help, and the willingness to develop empathy – seeing each child as our own.
To all of you passionate Montessorians, I thank you,
Maureen
Check in next week for the first in a series of music lesson plans for classroom teachers
Covering upcoming topics –
What’s the connection between musical play and problem solving?
Why do so many special needs kids do so well in music class
Why is music the emotion of the soul?
Musical fitness for children
Communication skills improve with music participation
Give your child a self-esteem boost through musical experiences
