Montessori  philosophy focuses on the education and development of the whole child.

One of the  difference ways of teaching in a Montessori classrooms are the  daily lessons and practice in Grace and Courtesy toward each other.

Children learn to love each other and to respect their environment by doing it  in a natural way.  Adults may think these are “rules” for the child is just a style of  life.  Some lessons in Grace and Courtesy are:

Giving eye contact
One person speaks at a time
Making requests, instead of demands (Would you be willing to…?)
Practice giving and receiving compliments
Saying please and thank you
Holding the door and gate for one another
Waiting turns in line patiently
Asking someone permission before helping, rather than assuming they cannot do it
Coughing into the arm
Introducing self and practicing greetings
Answering the telephone
Frequent hand washing
Working quietly
Maintenance of our classroom and outdoor environment
Picking up litter around school grounds
Stopping the game at recess when someone falls down and offering help up
Loading the school bus back to front and unloading from front to back
How to carry a chair safely and in silence
How to sit properly in the clasroom or anywhere else
The importance of being quiet at the theater during a live performance
Being respectful of nature
Being respectful of ourselves and others
Table manners
How to join in a game
How to include someone in a game
How to follow the rules in a game
How to take turns
Helping someone when they are hurt
Understanding and respecting that different cultures have different traditions and customs

When children understan that  being polite, kind, helpful, respectful, and courteous is always in everyone’s best interest and  brings  happines  for everyone.