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Students Receive Passport Stamps and Global Awareness at Pennington Montessori

Pennington, NJ – Young students at Pennington Montessori School enjoyed a global celebration Thursday, February 9th as the pinnacle event of International Week, at the School. The final event took place in the Great Room, giving community members an opportunity to learn more about each other and the world. Students, faculty, and parents, participated in a multi-dimensional learning experience throughout the week that included international food, costume, stories and lessons.

Led by parent volunteers Dianne Irving and Margarita Trujillo, dozens of parents shared their time, knowledge, and cultural novelties with the students. Parents were asked to lend an item representing their ancestral land or prepare a snack from their family’s heritage. Students wore traditional dress and delighted in the opportunity to exchange customs with their young friends. Dianne was astounded by the enthusiastic response.

“It was a huge success. I was excited about how responsive teachers and parents were, early on. Everyone got involved. It was magical how everyone responded,” said Dianne.

Dianne referenced the Montessori tradition of individual exploration as the key to success. “I think it was because it was about ‘where we come from’ as individuals. It was about heritage. It was personal – for everyone. Parents told me all week how excited their children were to learn about their family’s heritage. The kids went home and asked questions. It really became a family event.”

Pennington Montessori has a large population of parents who were not born or raised in the United States. With such a deeply diverse school community, the Parents Association had been looking for an opportunity to celebrate diversity within a community event. International Week had many elements of education, but its greatest success was the way it brought everyone together.

Following a week of international exploration, students were thrilled to each receive a personalized “passport” containing their name and photo. Every child then travelled to the Great Room with passport in hand in search of stamps and fun. The familiar playroom was transformed into an around-the-world interactive experience, complete with costumed volunteers and international regalia. The students explored all seven continents and dozens of countries with enthusiasm.

Students aged 15 months to 6 years, were dazzled by the colorful displays. They danced to traditional Indian music and gazed upward at the flags, globe, and costumes hanging from the ceiling. Little ones reached for the Irish Hurling Stick while others, the handmade IYA game from Kenya. Everyone was able to see, touch, and learn about various countries, through the lens of authentic artistries – such as a Caribbean steel drum, Italian war medals, Australian Aboriginal sticks, and Dutch wooden shoes. One by one, each class gathered around a volunteer to learn about the treasures.

Some parents looked at the event as an opportunity to research their own heritage further. And some students saw otherwise common items in a different way. They learned that a familiar meal or household item actually has deeper personal meaning to a parent or grandparent. The pride was evident. “That’s from my house,” one student explained to a classmate while gesturing toward a gilded Lebanese chest.

“Geography is an important part of a Montessori Education. This event took place just after the Pre-Primary Program finished making a map of each continent, so the kids were really able to absorb what they saw. The faculty made sure they had a foundation of understanding,” said Director Kathleen Hannah. “But the best part is the community participation, parents and teachers working together with the children.”

About us: Pennington Montessori is located in Pennington, NJ. Our Montessori Program is a unique cycle of learning designed to take advantage of the child’s sensitive periods between 15 months and 6 years when they can absorb information easily from a prepared enriched environment.