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Learning about nature at BestStart Montessori Bethlemhem
At Montessori Bethlehem, we have a large outdoor learning environment that contains a large vegetable garden, playground, sand pits, swings, established trees, and other plantings. Our garden areas support and foster the children's sense of being kaitiaki (guardians) of Papatūānuku (our natural environment).
We connect tamariki to the environment both through the Montessori principle of respect - for ourselves, our environment, and other people - and the values of kaitiakitanga and manākitanga that are important to our local iwi, Ngāti Ranginui. By first connecting tamariki to nature through real-life experiences such as; playing and sitting under the rākau (trees), observing nature through the change of seasons, and discovering birds' nests - they develop an understanding of the natural world.
Through our practical life activities like watering, weeding, planting, and raking, children develop skills in taking part in caring for this place (te manaaki i te taiao). But a rākau (tree) is more than just a rākau. Our unique Montessori classroom activities can extend children's learning on many different levels. They can build an understanding of the tree's structure, by completing the tree puzzle. Oral language skills are also enhanced by learning the names of the parts of the tree and the science concepts by discovering the functions they perform.
Pencil control and art experiences come through making their own booklets of the part of the tree to take home. Eventually, they may like to copy down the names of the parts, developing an understanding of letters and words. All of these activities allow them to begin to recognise and appreciate their own ability to learn (te rangatiratanga) and develop a positive attitude toward learning. Whether its a tree, a turtle, a bird, a frog, or a flower - tamariki have daily opportunities to learn more about the world around them, why is it special, and why we need to care for and protect it.
Come along and explore with us! Maria Montessori believed in the interconnectedness between humanity and nature. “The land is where our roots are,” she wrote. “The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth.”