Gandhi, Montessori and Nonviolence in Early Childhood

“The study of love and its utilization will lead us to the source from which it springs, The Child.”

“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.”

–Maria Montessori

“It is perfectly true, I must admit it in all humility, that however indifferently it may be, I endeavor to represent love in every fiber of my being. I am impatient to realize the presence of my Maker, Who to me embodies Truth, and in the early part of my career I discovered that if I was to realize Truth I must obey, even at the cost of my life, the law of love. And having been blessed with children, I discovered that the law of Love could be best understood and learned through little children.”

“You have very truly remarked that if we are to reach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with children and if they will grow up in their natural innocence, we won’t have the struggle, we won’t have to pass fruitless idle resolutions, but we shall go from love to love and peace to peace, until at last all the corners of the world are covered with that peace and love for which, consciously or unconsciously, the whole world is hungering.”

–M.K. Gandhi, 1931, addressing a Montessori teaching college in London.

subscribe to our itunes podcast here

Who were you as a child? Do you remember what it felt like to be a child–not only the wonder, but the challenges you faced? In  this program we peer into the heart of nonviolence in early childhood education, with a special look at the philosophies of Maria Montessori and her relationship to those of M.K. Gandhi. Joining Stephanie and Michael in the studio is Andree Young, Montessori educator at Red Barn, a Petaluma school dedicated to nurturing the head, heart and hands of the young in an effort to encourage the next generation in their common human struggles. 

You’ll also get your weekly dose of nonviolence in the news with Michael Nagler–who has a big surprise this week (spoiler alert-he published a new book on nonviolence that is very practical and handy…).

This show is not for parents alone. It’s for all of us–in an effort to serve the child in society, how can we do that better? How can we become better allies to children? A good show for some urgent matters!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS