Grace and Courtesy
In the Montessori classroom, children and adults take care to be gracious toward and courteous of one another. This area of the curriculum encourages respect for oneself, for other members of the community, for the living things in the classroom, and for the environment. Lessons include carrying things carefully and returning them to their place so that others may use them, aspects of grace which, by being made a challenge, are embraced by the children rather than treated as an annoyance or imposition. The care with which language is used in the classroom evokes polite and respectful speech. Courtesy is developed through good table manners, through guidance in how properly to introduce oneself, and by illustrating methods of interrupting politely. Grace and courtesy become appreciated by the children not as burdens but as the foundation of self-confident ways of relating to others. The care taken in making contact with others leads to a self-reflexive awareness of one's own dignity.
