Nurturing the spirit in non-sectarian classrooms

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This book emphasizes Maria Montessori's philosophy of creating a "better world by nurturing the spirit of the child." It combines insights from published authorities on spirituality and the experiences of Montessori practitioners, providing practical examples of fostering spirituality in classrooms. The text is structured into three parts with 21 chapters. Part 1, "The Meaning and Importance of Spirit," discusses the spiritual legacy of Montessori, the definition of spirituality, the distinction between spirituality and religion, and the relationship between spirit and soul, culminating in the idea of the child as the essence of spirituality. Part 2, "The Spiritually Aware Adult," focuses on nurturing the teacher's spirit, providing support for deepening spirituality, and fostering community among educators. Part 3, "Ideas for Children in Non-Sectarian Settings," presents various concepts such as cultivating stillness, the role of wonder in spirituality, the significance of cosmic education, and the spiritual aspects of peace education. It also addresses children's inner peace, the classroom as a community, and the intersection of spirituality and the arts. Additional topics include managing environmental influences and discussing spirituality with parents. The book concludes with an appendix, bibliography, and recommended resources.