Traditionally there is a custom of taking off your shoes to show respect for someone when they welcome you into there house. This thought has caused me to think about the way I've been "livin shoeless" in the Dominican Republic. Living on the beach has given me a constant reason to take off my shoes because I don't want to bring dirt or sand into the house. When we walk across the beach to get to the city we often take off our shoes to enjoy the warm sand between our toes and also make for faster walking.
We also remove our shoes when we are at Tres Mariposas because we have to respect children's work as well as not bring dirt into the area where children work. This is because in Montessori schools children typically "work" on the rugs when completing lessons for the day. This "rule" of removing shoes is also very important because the area in which the school is located and where most children live has dirt roads. These dirt roads also become very muddy in rainy weather causing messy shoes that could ruin children's work and their area of play.
P.S. I have been enjoying being able to comfortably walk around without shoes!
-Jasmine, the shoe-less walker
We also remove our shoes when we are at Tres Mariposas because we have to respect children's work as well as not bring dirt into the area where children work. This is because in Montessori schools children typically "work" on the rugs when completing lessons for the day. This "rule" of removing shoes is also very important because the area in which the school is located and where most children live has dirt roads. These dirt roads also become very muddy in rainy weather causing messy shoes that could ruin children's work and their area of play.
P.S. I have been enjoying being able to comfortably walk around without shoes!
-Jasmine, the shoe-less walker