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Kaitiakitanga at Montessori
At Montessori Johnsonville, we foster deep connections with our environment. One of the most impactful ways we achieve this is by teaching children the art of composting. Through this hands-on practice, our students learn the importance of sustainability and develop a sense of responsibility toward our planet. Composting is a simple yet powerful way to reduce waste and enrich the soil. It transforms organic waste, such as food scraps and leaves, into valuable compost; used to nourish plants.
Composting helps us understand the life cycle of organic matter and the role they play in this natural process. We had Lorraine Boennic from Wgtn City Council come in and teach us the basics of composting: what it is, why it’s important, and how it works. She introduced the concept of organic waste and its decomposition into compost. To make this learning process more tangible, she brought in various items to guide us with sorting our waste into compostable and non-compostable categories. Our tamariki collect food scraps from their food preparation and lunches, such as fruit peels and vegetable ends, and add them to the compost bin. They also gather leaves from the playgrounds. Through these activities, they are observing the gradual transformation of waste into rich, dark compost. Composting teaches tamariki valuable lessons about Kaitiakitanga.
Our tamariki learn that their actions can have a positive impact on the world around them. This practice fosters a sense of responsibility and care for the environment, encouraging us all to adopt sustainable habits in our daily lives. This empowers our tamariki with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the environment. By nurturing their connection to nature and instilling sustainable habits, we are helping to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who are committed to caring for our planet. Toitu te marae a Tane, Toitu te marae a Tangaroa, Toitu te iwi' If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.