Dr. Maria Montessori dedicated her life to nurturing and supporting the child’s understanding and love of themselves, their community, and the Universe. Her mandate calls on us as parents and educators to provide rich and meaningful opportunities for each child to come to deeply know and understand themselves, providing them a meaningful connection to their spirit and to their own unique path and contribution to our world. She shared compelling words on the importance of love in understanding our own humanity:
“Love is more than the electricity which lightens our darkness, more than the etheric waves that transmit our voices across space, more than any of the energies that [one] has discovered and learned to use. Of all things love is the most potent. All that [one] can do with their discoveries depends on the conscience of [the one] who uses them. This energy of love is given to us so that each shall have it in [themself].”
Yes, love is the most potent, and what better way for us to support our children and families in experiencing and expressing love than to center the spirituality of the child? Spirituality provides the window for our souls to connect deeply with ourselves, others, and the Universe at large. Spirituality requires introspection, gratitude, self-awareness, and reflection, providing us access to the deepest part of ourselves and each other. Spirituality is a pathway to love.
The terms spirit and spirituality are often associated with religious practice. Our endeavor is not a religious one. Instead, this is about centering the child’s spirit – the life force within themself that connects them deeply to others and the Universe as a whole – as part of their whole being. We can not fully serve or know the child without acknowledging and fostering their spiritual self as a critical and foundational element of their being.
Breaking it Down
Our work is guiding the child through the exploration and practice that provides them the opportunity to nurture, develop, and honor their spirit. Needless to say, this is no small undertaking. As we venture more deeply into this work, we will be focusing on four areas:
Spiritual Preparation of the Adult
This may be the most important component of centering the spirit of the child. Each adult in the child’s life is a powerful role model. Establishing daily habits that support an inner harmony and understanding of ourselves provides adults a greater capacity to nurture peace for our children. Our own cultivation of a peaceful inner life provides a strong foundation for bringing kindness and respect to each interaction with the children, and elevates and inspires our own spirits, as well.
In the weeks leading up to the start of school, our staff community focused on their own spirituality and began stepping into their own spiritual preparation as adults. This work will continue throughout the year. Please click here for a list of recommendations that we have shared with our staff that also can support families and children.
Self-Awareness and Mindfulness
Science shows that mindfulness is a gateway to spiritual discovery for children and adults alike (Lisa Miller). Watching infants and young children, we see that they are inherently mindful: bringing their full attention to each moment and being alert to the life around them. Yet often as we age, our focus on the future can prevent many of us from experiencing the fullness of the present – and really the fullness of life overall. At the same time, when we dwell on our past we also struggle with being present. Being fully present must be a priority for faculty, students, and families – and requires focused attention and daily practice.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social Emotional Learning are the skills and tools which allow us to be able to develop healthy relationships with others. This skill development begins at birth and continues over our whole lives. If children are given opportunities to learn to identify and understand their own emotions as well as recognize and empathize with the emotions of others, their ability to connect and have healthy, vital relationships is fueled for their lifetime.
When we can connect deeply with ourselves and the Universe through our spirit, we care to elevate the world and all its living things. Spirituality gives us a means to learn our purpose and SEL provides us with the ability to share that purpose with the world.
Meaningful Connection with Nature and Appreciation for Life’s Interconnectedness
What an amazing and awe-inspiring revelation that we are all a part of a magnificent web of life; you and I are connected to every bacterium, every spider, every tree, every star, and every human. Cosmologist Brian Swimme wrote, “Our ancestry stretches back through the life forms and into the stars, back into the beginnings of the primeval fireball. This Universe is a single multiform energetic unfolding of matter, mind, intelligence and life.” Dr. Swimme reminds us that we are not the rightful rulers of the Universe, rather we are in an energetic community with all.
This is what Dr. Montessori asked us to teach to our children and what is amazing is now science is showing us over and over that humanity needs nature – and the profound impact nature has on our young people. It shows that nature regulates and grounds us — and lifts our spirits, nurturing our sense of awe and wonder.
Our commitment at Greenspring is that each child and adolescent has the opportunity to connect deeply with nature and understand the interconnectedness of all living things. How can we awaken and nurture each child’s profound connection to all the Universe’s creatures and creations– supporting them in their love of nature and gratitude for all its gifts?
Research coming out now points to the desperate need for this work for our children, our adolescents, our families, and our planet. I am linking a thought-provoking video of Lisa Miller, PhD, a psychologist and professor at Columbia University Teachers College, here for you. Dr. Miller helps us understand the current research around spirituality, the brain, and our overall mental health. Definitely worth your time! Dr. Miller also wrote The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life, which I referenced in this email, and The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving – which I highly recommend for all parents. In this email, I also referenced the book Barefoot and Balanced: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela Hanscom.
In Closing
Much of this work is inherent in the Montessori method of education and has already been in place at Greenspring. Yet now we are digging in more deeply, supporting the staff in their own spiritual preparation and integrating training in these four key areas to meaningfully support this important work with our staff, children, and families.
We welcome your partnership in this important work. We are, as ever, better together!
