Notice the child drawings behind the area. What a beautiful way to make that their own space.

One of the best gifts from Montessori education has to be the concept of the Peace Table.  The Peace Table is a conflict resolution tool for the classroom.  Traditionally, there is a peace rose that the children can present to a child they have a conflict with and “go” to the table to work it out.  One way to adapt that process to the classroom is to use a little heart stone.

How It Works

The child who is upset brings the issue to the Peace Table.  Holding the stone, they state the problem.

I coach the child to state the problem as “I did not like it when. . . .”

Then from that point on it is a “I feel ______ when _______” statement. (I statements!)

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The feeling of cozy and calm is an important part of the Peace Table

The other child has a chance to say what they are feeling as well.  The peace stone goes back and forth until the children have expressed all their feelings and the issue is resolved.

What is amazing about the process is that the children are given a chance to safely express their feelings to a peer.  There is the tool for “talk turns” – the peace rose or stone.  It eliminates tattling as I just send them to the Peace Table.  Nine times out of ten, the problem is resolved by the very act of communicating their feelings.  The children who have trouble with their peers need help with this process – but it is a great forum to do it!

Before Transformation:

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After Transformation:

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Notice how the new Peace Table Area is defined.

Wish we could have a global Peace Table for big people. . . .and it worked like this does!!!

Thank you to the amazing OU Students, mentors, and teachers who provided these beautiful photos of their transformed classrooms! Stay tuned for a full blog on their transformations!

BONUS! Click here to download a copy of “Special in My Own Way” book that you can print and have children and families create and even keep those in your Peace Table area for children to look at after!