As of 2018, Reinserta, a Mexican NGO, calculated that there were between 300 to 600 children under the age of six in Mexico’s federal and state prisons. In Mexico, by law, children born in prison can stay with their mothers until the age of three. The idea is that keeping infants and toddlers with their mothers is the most humane option.
Origami Vida Interna, a civil society organization that supports individuals within the prison in Mazatlán, Sinaloa who have been deprived of their liberty, is dedicated to providing practical experiences promoting rehabilitation through activities such as cooking and carpentry. Two years ago, they invited Montessori Mexico to partner with them on a new initiative in the women’s section of the prison that grew out of this initial work.
Montessori Mexico joined forces with Origami Vida Interna and Baby CO to help bring Montessori philosophy and pedagogy to infants and toddlers living in this prison. An outside person with relevant educational experience and a mother inside the prison with meaningful lived experiences were hired to lead the program. With the support of trainer Alejandra Rosas from the Stoppani Training Center and Eder Cuevas, director of Montessori Mexico, these two future guides received sponsored enrollment in the Montessori assistant course for the age of zero to three years.
Paulina Carrillo, director of Colegio Montessori de Mazatlán, and her staff also joined the program, visiting the guides and the mothers to provide advice and training.
The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.