Moorestown, New Jersey – Montessori Children’s House continues the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Curriculum after spring break as the children enter unit three to discover The Hidden Treasure – gratitude. As usual things kick off with the Young Master’s pledge, “I promise to use my gifts everyday….” After reading The Hidden Treasure, children discuss all the different things our characters, Phylos and Butaan, are grateful for. The children are then directed to close their eyes for a few moments and think about what they are grateful for. Each child puts a little heart inside a pinata treasure chest as they claim the things or people for which they’re grateful – family, friends, school, the beach, sunshine and trees. The list goes on as they explore what’s important in each of their lives.
giftof all. What could it be? “It’s not something that can be bought in a store,” said class facilitator Stephanie Pelly. They are each asked to open the box and look inside. “Don’t tell anyone what it is,” Stephanie says, “wait for each person to have a turn.” Each child opens the box and peeks inside only to see their own reflection in a mirror placed at the bottom of the box. A big smile appears each time a child realizes the greatest gift is – them. Beautiful, unique, special – them. Once everyone has a turn looking inside the box they place their hands on their hearts and say, I AM A GIFT, an affirmation of self-realization and acceptance of their own intrinsic value.