Children’s House Montessori School celebrates Culture Day

NORTH COUNTY — Each spring, Children’s House Montessori School (CHMS) comes alive with color, curiosity, and celebration during its annual Culture Day. More than a one-day event, Culture Day is a vibrant culmination of weeks of hands-on learning and exploration, where students from pre-primary through sixth grade dive deep into the cultures, geography, history, food, music, and art of countries around the globe.

Director Angelica Ruiz shared how the experience reflects the core Montessori philosophy of educating the whole child. “Culture Day is part of an integrated curriculum that fosters global awareness, empathy, and a true appreciation for the world we live in,” she said. “It allows children to explore in a way that is meaningful and deeply personal.”

In the weeks leading up to Culture Day, each student selects a country to research, exploring its environment, traditional food, language, clothing, housing, and cultural customs. The students then create colorful and informative poster boards showcasing what they’ve learned. On Culture Day, the classrooms transform into an international showcase of discovery — with students dressed in traditional attire, offering samples of food, and leading activities inspired by their chosen countries.

One particularly heartwarming element of the day is the student-created passports. As the children travel from “country to country” within the school, they receive stamps — also designed by their peers — adding a tangible and interactive layer to the experience. This not only engages their imaginations but also helps them internalize the geography lessons they’ve been studying.

Fifth-grader Max shared his excitement about choosing Finland as his focus this year. “I really enjoyed learning about pasties and pies,” he said. “The coolest thing I learned is that in Finland, you can sit in an igloo-type building with a glass top to watch the Northern Lights.”

Culture Day begins with a joyful assembly where all the students come together to sing a song specially created to highlight each of the countries being celebrated. It sets the tone for the day and reinforces the values of unity, respect, and curiosity.

The learning doesn’t stop at geography and culture. Students engage in science by studying animals and habitats native to their chosen country. Nature studies, another core Montessori pillar, are emphasized through lessons on the environment and the interconnectedness of all living things. Students also explore the arts through hands-on crafts and musical experiences from around the world.

Peace education, a fundamental aspect of Montessori learning, is also woven throughout the program. Children are encouraged to reflect on the importance of empathy, understanding, and respect — lessons that are all the more relevant in today’s world.

“Culture Day really brings together the entire Children’s House community,” Ruiz shared. “It’s a celebration of learning, but also of togetherness. The students take ownership of their learning, and that pride shines through every presentation and interaction.”

Montessori classrooms are uniquely prepared environments designed to empower students to direct their own learning in a calm, respectful, and supportive setting. Everything is child-sized and intentionally organized to spark independence and curiosity. This year’s Culture Day beautifully illustrated how that philosophy comes to life: through project-based learning, student-led inquiry, and a spirit of joyful discovery.

At the heart of Children’s House Montessori is a commitment to nurturing a sense of belonging and purpose among its students, staff, and families. Through events like Culture Day, the school continues to honor the vision of Dr. Maria Montessori by helping each child reach their fullest potential — academically, socially, and emotionally — while learning to appreciate and respect the diverse world around them.

As the students proudly stamped passports and shared stories of faraway places, one thing was clear: Culture Day isn’t just about learning — it’s about connection, celebration, and planting seeds of global citizenship that will last a lifetime.