In today’s fast-paced world, the popular meme “Virtue at Work” humorously captures the helplessness and self-deprecation of modern professionals under pressure.

When we laugh about phrases like, “Care: Are you okay?” and “Reflection: It’s not entirely my fault, right?”—beneath the bittersweet humor, could there be a deeper longing for purity and goodness? A desire for a better self and a brighter world?

Rest assured, virtue still resides in each of us. In the world of Montessori education, let’s explore how fostering true virtues—like responsibility—can help children, and even ourselves, discover inner peace and strength.

>> Virtue Education in Montessori

In Montessori education, character building is a key part of its philosophy.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that every child has a unique developmental path and potential. The goal of education is to help children fully develop their abilities and individuality. Beyond academic skills, nurturing good character and social abilities is equally important.

In the Montessori environment, virtue education is everywhere in daily activities—

Respect and understanding, self-discipline and order, patience and focus, responsibility and care, honesty and integrity, peaceful conflict resolution, cooperation, and gratitude…

These virtues are not taught through direct instruction but are gently cultivated through the environment, the example set by adults, and subtle guidance. This allows these positive values to naturally take root in the hearts of children.

>> Present 19 Virtues with Themes

Since September, Zion Education Group has integrated virtue education into the Montessori environment through themed lessons. Engaging group classes, diverse experiential games, everyday practices, and group sharing activities make it easy and fun for children to learn and apply virtues in their daily lives.

Each month, we focus on a specific virtue theme, primarily delivered through group classes. We utilize age-specific teaching methods tailored to the developmental characteristics of the children, ensuring both their engagement and the quality of learning.

For example, our virtue theme for September is Cleanliness. Teachers spark children’s desire to express themselves through questions. To the child, actions like brushing teeth, combing hair, organizing their backpacks, and not littering all contribute to maintaining cleanliness. Teachers deepen their understanding of cleanliness through role-playing and “mirror” games.

Teachers also invite children to engage in free drawing, expressing their own interpretation of cleanliness. Each child’s creation is unique, rooted in their real-life experiences! They share stories about cleanliness, with every stroke reflecting their creativity and thoughtfulness.

Additionally, we introduce virtue name cards, role-playing activities, songs about cleanliness, sorting pictures, picture book readings, and stories that highlight virtues.

A variety of teaching methods will deepen children’s understanding of virtues. Throughout the process, we focus on guiding them to express themselves fully, planting the seeds of virtue in their hearts.

Virtue Environment: Teachers show each theme through images in the daily environment, allowing children to constantly feel the essence of virtue culture and deepening their understanding of the virtue themes.

Virtue Journal : Teachers observe and recognize the virtues in each child, recording their acts of virtue in the Virtue Journal to help them document their practice of virtues at school.

Why do we do Virtue Education after all？

1、With the rapid advancement of technology, some knowledge and skills may be replaced by AI, but a person’s character remains irreplaceable. Providing virtue education for children upholds the essence of education: the competition for grades is endless, while a person’s overall quality and character are the foundation for success. This enables children to uncover their unique abilities that cannot be overshadowed by technology or AI.

2、In a world of constant change, people’s mindsets are easily swayed by the restless atmosphere around them. Virtue education helps children build strong values and provides them with the right guidance. Even in a fast-paced, chaotic society, they can find their inner compass, staying grounded in their dreams and unwavering in their purpose.

3、Education must be forward-thinking and future-oriented. The internet, e-commerce, live streaming, and new media—once unimaginable—are now integral parts of our lives. In the future, countless unpredictable industries and careers await. Providing children with virtue education equips them to be prepared, fostering their ability to adapt to new changes. When these changes come, they’ll be ready to embrace them with focus and determination.

In Conclusion

Every child is born with inherent virtues, waiting to be nurtured and developed.

During the crucial early years of a child’s development, our goal is not only to enhance their knowledge but also to foster good character and cultivate virtues that will support their growth.

We believe that by learning, practicing, and continuously developing our potential and virtues, we can collectively build a more harmonious society and a better world!