We need the The United Nations International Day of Peace now more than ever. And it will be here on September 21! This is a perfect occasion for both children and adults to focus on what’s really important. And to do something about it.
Montessori schools around the world have joined in a new movement to “sing peace around the world” each year on September 21. I’d love to see them joined by more and more schools of all kinds … and homes, too.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Sing Peace Around the World
“Sing Peace Around the World” is a beautiful song composed by Shelley Murley and sung by her daughter, Emily Murley, at age 9.
Light a Candle for Peace – LYRICS – Shelley Murley
Light a Candle for Peace Practice Video – Christina Sarris (American Sign Language Version) This is a beautiful version, but a simple sign language version, such as in the Light a Candle for Peace: Circle-Time-Action Songbook is probably best for toddlers and preschoolers. With my grandkids, I do a version that’s in between the two in difficulty. I think it’s fine to adapt the signs for your children or students when you’re signing to a song.
How to Join in Singing Peace Around the World
Be sure to read about how Sing Peace works before registering your school.
Sing with your class between 9:30 – 11am your local time.
See song and songbook resources below.
You can even sign up to send a message to another school singing for peace in another part of the world!
Watch the Song Travel Around the World
Not only is this a wonderful activity encouraging peace and unity, but it’s a fabulous geography activity as well. Your children or students can follow past years as peace is sung around the world and follow this year’s path.
Light a Candle for Peace – Watch the Song Travel 2009 – Shelley Murley
See children singing peace around the world in 2009.
Light a Candle for Peace – Watch the Song Travel in 2016 – Shelley Murley
You can see many videos of Montessori schools singing peace from 2016 at Sing Peace on Facebook.
Here’s one of the videos from 2018 with multiple ages that shows the beauty and worldwide significance of singing peace around the world:
Día de la Paz 2018 – Margaret Mead Colegio Montessori, Lima, Perú
Your activity (and video if you’re part of a participating school) can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Every contribution toward peace is perfect!
Here are the schools who signed up in 2018:
Is “Sing Peace Around the World” Only for Montessori Schools?
The question: Can non-Montessori schools join us for this event?
The answer: “Absolutely! Our dream would be that the Montessori children of the world will start and host this event but as it grows year after year, eventually children in schools from across the planet will join us to sing for peace. We will remind the politicians the policy makers and the leaders of every nation, we choose peace over war, love over hate and generosity over greed.”
I would also love to see this spread to homeschools and any family. I’m planning to have a special “Sing Peace Around the World” activity with my grandkids. Because I have two toddler grandkids, we’ll use an LED candle and Montessori globe, similar to what we use for our Montessori birthday celebrations.
I’ve already ordered the Light a Candle for Peace: Circle-Time-Action Songbook so we can learn the sign language actions to go with the song. My toddler grandkids love having sign language books read to them, so I’m sure this will become a popular book at my house! (Note: The book is on sale for a lower price at the Sing Peace Around the World website.)
You can also download the “Light a Candle for Peace” song and lyrics for free at the Sing Peace Around the World website.
If you’re planning to make “Sing Peace Around the World” a family event, you can choose your singing time. You might want to choose a time that’s shared by Montessori schools somewhere in the world even if they’re not in your time zone. Or you can set your time independent of any schools.
Note: If you’re interested in music resources by Shelley Murley, you’ll find a variety of lovely MP3s here.
Our Family’s Activities Singing Peace Around the World
2022 and on:
View this post on Instagram
We’re observing International Day of Peace🕊 a little differently this year. I love to have my grandkids, Caleb (4½), Zoey (8½), and Sophia (4½), sign and sing “Light a Candle for Peace” together to the beautiful music composed by Shelley Murley and sung by her daughter, Emily Murley, at age 9.⠀
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This year, my grandkids won’t be all together at my house until Saturday, so I have our peace table and reading corner (peace corner now) available until then. We’ll do our signing and singing on Saturday. This is a beautiful activity for any time of year, so it doesn’t just have to be for International Day of Peace.
In the video, Zoey is reading the book Everybody Says Shalom to Sophia, and Caleb is reading the book Light a Candle for Peace (with the song lyrics and simple sign language images).
2021:
View this post on Instagram
Here are my grandkids, Caleb (3½), Zoey (7½), and Sophia (3½). We reviewed the signs for “Light a Candle for Peace” and then sang it along with the beautiful Shelley Murley song “Light a Candle for Peace.”
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We also watched some of the “sing peace” activities from around the world on YouTube. I love this as a peace activity at any time of year, but it’s extra special on the International Day of Peace when children are “singing peace” around the world. We weren’t able to do our activity until later in the day, but we still felt a part of the worldwide event.
2020:
View this post on Instagram
This was our family activity for International Day of Peace.🕊 Here are my grandkids, Sophia (2½), Zoey (6½), and Caleb (2½), singing and signing “shines” (“Light a candle that shines all the way around the world”). We learned the signs for “Light a Candle for Peace” and then sang it along with the beautiful music composed by Shelley Murley and sung by her daughter, Emily Murley, at age 9.⠀
Peace and Mindfulness Resources and Activities
I’ve included mindfulness resources in our peace resources. They’re helpful in peace education because peace within is a first step toward spreading peace.
Activities for Kids and Adults on International Day of Peace and World Gratitude Day
Free Peace Songs and Educational Videos
Free Multicultural Songs Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion {Character Education Resources} – my post at Bits of Positivity
- Free Peace Printables and Montessori-Inspired Peace Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Peace Education Activities
- How to Prepare a Peace Corner
- Friendship Flower Activities
- Montessori-Inspired Friendship Activities
- Free Friendship Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Taking Turns and Sharing Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- How to Teach Toddlers and Preschoolers to Take Turns and Work Together
- The Best Children’s Books about Taking Turns and Sharing
- How to Prepare a Montessori Peace Tray
- Montessori Services Peace Activities and Resources Review
- Best Peace Quotes
- Equality and Peace Resources for Parents and Teachers
- The Silence Game {Montessori Activity to Develop Self Discipline}
- Free Guided Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep and Relaxation {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Best Nelson Mandela Quotes
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Teens and Adults
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Kids
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Mindfulness Songs for Kids
- Promote Peace with Holidays Around the World Resources
- The Ultimate List of Free Meditation Printables for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- “Education Is the Best Weapon for Peace” Montessori Word Art Freebie
- The Best Peace Books for Kids
- The Best Mindfulness Books for Kids
- Free Peace Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Peace Do-a-Dot Printables (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Free Peace Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)
- Montessori Education Week Free Peace Lesson
- Free Relaxing Ocean Images, Sounds, and Music for Kids and Adults {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Fostering Kids’ Friendships Pinterest Board
- Kids’ Peace and Mindfulness Activities Pinterest Board
All the Posts in My Free Song and Educational Video Series
Free Songs about Skills and Concepts – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Songs about 100 {Free Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time}
- Free Baby Sign Language Videos {Signs and Songs}
- Favorite Clean Up Song
- Free Clean Up Songs (Tidy Up Songs) and Rhymes
- Free Continent and Ocean Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Counting Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time {Including Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons}
- Free Educational Songs for Circle Time
- Educational Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays Pinterest Board
- Free Songs About Getting a Shot {Kids’ Vaccination Resources}
- Handwashing Activities for Kids – Free Songs and Lessons
- Fun with Handwashing + Handwashing Song by a 2 Year Old
- Free Kissing Hand Songs, Poems, and Videos to Ease Separation Anxiety
- Reinforcing Letter Sounds with Phonics Songs
- Free Sign Language Alphabet and Phonics Songs
- Free Sign Language Color Songs for Circle Time
- Free Spanish Color Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Teddy Bear Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free & Fun Toilet Learning Songs {Potty Songs} for Toddlers
Free Unit Study Songs and Educational Videos – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Amphibian Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Apple Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic vs. Antarctic Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Bird Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Bird Sounds, Songs, and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Black History Songs and Educational Videos for Kids
- Free Christmas Tree Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Construction Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Continent and Ocean Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Endangered Animal Songs and Educational Videos {Save the Animals}
- Free Evergreen Tree Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fall Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fire Safety Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fish Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Frog and Toad Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fruit and Vegetable Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Germ Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Gingerbread Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Globe and Map Songs and Educational Videos {Me on the Map Resources}
- Free Insect Sounds, Songs, and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Mammal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Months and Seasons Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Peace Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Ocean Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Oviparous Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Penguin Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Reptile Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Royal Tea Party Videos {Grace and Courtesy Resources}
- Free Shark Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Snake Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Solar System Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Spring Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Tree Songs and Educational Videos {Learn about Trees, Apple Trees, and Seasons}
- Free Volcano and Earthquake Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Winter Songs and Educational Videos
Free Seasonal and Holiday Songs – in order by time of year, starting with back to school in August or early September
- Free Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Labor Day Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Grandparent Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Fall Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Fall Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Halloween Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Thanksgiving Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Winter Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Winter Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Hanukkah Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Gingerbread Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Christmas Tree Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Christmas Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Kwanzaa Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free New Year’s Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Martin Luther King Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Chinese New Year Songs and Rhymes for Circle Timed
- Free Groundhog Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Valentine’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free President Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Songs and Educational Videos for Mardi Gras/Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday
- Free Pi Songs and Educational Videos for Pi Day
- Free St. Patrick’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Spring Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Spring Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Easter Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Earth Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Cinco de Mayo Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Mother’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Juneteenth Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Father’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free American Patriotic Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Summer Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Free and Fun Family Road Trip Songs
Free Video Resources Posts – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Montessori at Home Videos
- Free Montessori Cultural Videos
- Free Montessori Language Videos
- Free Montessori Math Videos
- Free Montessori Practical Life Videos
- Free Montessori Sensorial Videos
- Free Montessori Video Lessons Online
All the Posts in the Free Character Education and Mindfulness Video Series Here at My Bits of Positivity Blog
Note: These are in alphabetical order by words in bold.
- Free 9-1-1 Songs for Kids {Non-Scary Emergency Preparedness}
- Free Anti-Bullying Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Bucket-Filling Videos for Character Education
- Free Conservation Songs for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Cooperation Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Courage Songs {Character Education Resources} – Courage is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Curiosity Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Staying Safe and Being Scared {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs about Big Feelings {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs about Family {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Friends and Neighbors {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Growing Up and Being Independent {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About New Experiences {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Playtime {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Taking Care of Your Body {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Determination Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Determination is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Disaster Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Empathy Songs and Educational Videos {Character Education Resources}
- Free Equality and Fairness Songs {Character Education Resources} – Equality is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Excellence Songs and Resources {Character Education} – Excellence is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Friendship Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Friendship is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Songs and Educational Videos About Managing Frustration {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Golden Rule Songs and Educational Videos {Character Education Resources}
- Free Gratitude Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Growth Mindset Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Kids
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Teens and Adults
- Free Guided Frozen and Winter Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep and Relaxation {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Happy Songs for Kids {Contentment, Cheerfulness, Joyfulness Resources}
- Free Helping Hand and Helpfulness Songs {Character Education Resources}
- The Best Kids’ Songs for the Holidays {Traditional Holiday Songs + Character Education Songs}
- Free Honesty Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Educational and Song Videos about Honor
- Free Inspirational Kindness Videos for a Variety of Ages
- Free Inspirational Songs {Character Education Resources} – Inspiration is one of the Paralympic values
- Free Integrity Songs and Educational Videos {Character Education Resources}
- Free Kindness Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Leadership Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Make a Difference Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Manners Songs for Home or Classroom
- Free Mindfulness Songs for Kids
- Free Multicultural Songs Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion {Character Education Resources}
- Free Songs about Obeying the Rules {Character Education Resources}
- Free Orderliness Songs and Activities {Character Education Resources}
- Free Patience Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Reassuring and Comforting Songs to Help Ease Kids’ Anxiety
- Free Relaxing Music for Studying and Concentration for Kids
- Free Relaxing Ocean Images, Sounds, and Music for Kids and Adults {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Respect Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Respect is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Responsibility Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Self-Control Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Taking Turns and Sharing Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Thank-You Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Songs about Virtues {with Character Education Themes and Unit Studies}
- Free Water Safety Songs for Kids
I hope you find these helpful!
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