It is interesting to see how little by little , these children become more aware of forming a community which behaves as such….Once they have reached this level, the children no longer act thoughtlessly, but put the group first and try to succeed for it’s benefit.- Maria Montessori

Peace education is not only to be taught; it is most effective as an ongoing experience in the classroom community. Such a community values each member as a unique individual; it encompasses the habits of respect and fairness; it encourages the peaceful resolution of conflicts; and it gives each person a sense of belonging to a group whose combined efforts can be greater than that of any one member.

What does community mean in a classroom? Like a staff community, a classroom is a group of people who come together for a common purpose in a spirit of helpfulness and harmony. Community, I feel, is a very telling word to describe a Montessori classroom, and a very useful word to use frequently therein. The word community differs from the word team. In the world of sports, people on a team come together for a common purpose, but the purpose is always to beat or get ahead of an opposing team. Community on the other hand , is not nourished by competition. Rather it is sustained by cooperation, mutual support and delight in each other’s accomplishments. – Aline Wolf