“The secret of good teaching and parenting is the selection of the right material for the imagination which will generate confidence and interest for life”
(David Kahn, Towards a Child’s Philosophy of Nature).
Many, many years ago, when Dr. Maria Montessori was in the process of developing the Montessori method of guiding the development of children, she realized the importance of the outdoor environment. At our school, we are blessed with thirteen wooded acres, and a wonderful outdoor environment for the children to use during the morning work cycle or for play before carpool.
The idea is that the outdoors is just an extension of our classroom community--especially during our morning work cycle.
We hope to have what Dr. Montessori referred to as a "free flow" where the children can come and go throughout the morning, bringing work outside or helping to keep our garden neat and tidy by watering the plants, filling the bird feeder or sweeping the paths.
Our "backyard" offers a wonderful teaching playground for the development of the whole child.
"The land is where our roots are, the children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the earth." (Dr. Maria Montessori)
“In the world of nature, there is scope for the perceiving and thinking mind in coming up against the unexpected and exercising the senses and muscles. These help develop coordination and integration and enhance the powers of intelligence.” (Dr. Maria Montessori, The Child in Nature)
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| These boards have been a favorite and have become everything from a see-saw to a house. |
"...when the children are placed in natural surroundings, then there is the revelation of their strength."
(Dr. Maria Montessori, Set the Children Free)
Eye-hand-motor training is something that the child develops as he or she is allowed time to explore, at their own pace, in the natural world.
“Giving the children an opportunity to learn to move with confidence over rough terrain is one of the most important things we have to offer during the primary years.” (Jim Roberts, At Home in the Natural World).
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| Examining a spider web |
In the same way that we guide the children, help them to develop and grow at their own pace, we follow the child and help the child to do it independently through the natural world.
“Like the ability to swim, the knowledge that they can get through thickets and over streams gives the children a confidence which goes far beyond the application of the skill” (J. Roberts).
“Children are profoundly content if they can act, make discoveries, explore, even apart from external beauty” (Dr. Montessori).
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| Making fruit and artichoke salad |
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| We even had a special visitor on our windowsill earlier in the week! |
I encourage you to take time as we cool down into fall and the leaves begin to change, to go for a hike, search for a waterfall, have a picnic, plant a garden, bird watch and experience and discover the natural world through the eyes of your child.
