![“Help me to help myself so that I may help others”]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1569603548/alexander/kfjuch74prmvs06uixmx/20190927_111615.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1569603548/alexander/kfjuch74prmvs06uixmx/20190927_111615.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1569603548/alexander/kfjuch74prmvs06uixmx/20190927_111615.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1569603548/alexander/kfjuch74prmvs06uixmx/20190927_111615.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1569603548/alexander/kfjuch74prmvs06uixmx/20190927_111615.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1569603548/alexander/kfjuch74prmvs06uixmx/20190927_111615.jpg","width":2200}])
The month of September began with the threat of Hurricane Dorian. While South Florida was spared, The Bahamas suffered a major hit causing tremendous damage and devastation. Almost immediately, the Alexander Montessori Administration sent an email to the school community informing them of ways students could help. The collection for Bahamas disaster relief began immediately at all four Campuses. Our students began donating much-needed items including non-perishable food, toiletries, baby items, first aid items, cleaning supplies, and more. It was impressive to see the growing piles of hundreds of donated items. On Friday, September 27th, Alexander students used their helping hands to deliver the many donations to Palmetto Bay Park where they would be sent to The Bahamas.
At Alexander Montessori school, we are always encouraging and empowering children to be helpers. In line with our school motto, “Help me to help myself, so that I may help others,” we strive to inspire children to be empathetic, compassionate, and self-motivated. There are many positive benefits of helping others. Helping others not only benefits the recipients and the community but also helps the ones doing the helping. Research has shown that volunteering and giving to others can have a positive impact on your mental and physical health. Helping others provides you with a sense of purpose and connects you to your community. In Maria Montessori’s book, Education and Peace, she said, “The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind.” At Alexander Montessori, we take great pride in following Maria Montessori’s vision.
With so many positive benefits of helping others, we encourage you to consider finding ways in which you can help, donate, and volunteer as a family. Not only will it benefit your community, but it will help you, too!
Additional references:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/201805/in-helping-others-you-help-yourself