In our Montessori programs the richness and diversity of people, places and cultural practices are celebrated. The variety of cultural backgrounds of the children in the group provides a rich springboard for exploration. Children from different cultures and countries share the same tendencies relating to their inner need to explore, discover and experience. They greatly enjoy learning about various countries and understanding different cultures. Knowing which part of the world their teachers, peers and parents originate from, looking at maps, tracing outlines of continents and countries, identifying the flags, trying on costumes and tasting all kinds of food are some of the ways in which children learn about culture.
Learning about our culture includes becoming familiar with the social graces associated with our day to day life. The Grace and Courtesy exercises of a Montessori program provide the children with opportunities to practise social customs and manners, such as turn taking, asking for and offering help, showing empathy, greeting people, appropriately interrupting a conversation, maintaining personal hygiene and many others. Knowing social norms gives a child confidence to actively participate within their society. Another outcome of social learning is that the child takes responsibility for his/her actions and develops respect for self and others.