Montessori Celebrates 100 Years

By LING, Jenny

WISHES for world peace and an end to poverty were on hundreds of children’s minds during 100-year celebrations of Montessori education.

Youngsters, parents and staff of about 10 Wellington Montessori early childcare centres and schools began festivities with a colourful march through the city yesterday before taking their hopes for a better world to the government. Some wore fairy wings, while others waved placards with messages to save the poor and provide clean water for Third World countries.

The lunchtime parade went along Lambton Quay and ended outside Parliament, where the socially conscious children presented their wishes for future generations in a book received by Green MP Sue Kedgley.

The day also marked the birthday of founder Maria Montessori, an Italian doctor and Nobel Peace Prize nominee whose philosophy is based on spontaneous, self- directed learning, in which children are encouraged to learn at their own pace.

Maria Montessori opened the first school of its type in Rome in 1907. There are more than 90 preschool, primary and high school Montessoris in New Zealand, some of which are units or classrooms attached to state schools. There are 14 in the Wellington region.

Children participating in the celebrations raised money toward providing clean water for children in Niger.

Five-year-old James Stevenson, from Capital Montessori in Kingston, said he wanted an end to war.

Rhina Stone, 13, from Athena Montessori College in central Wellington, said it would be good to have a society with more respect and tolerance.

“If you’ve got that, you’ve got world peace.”

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