www.CenturyMontessori.com), an elite private school that uses the Montessori Method to provide children with optimal education and personal development, is weighing in on the importance of the outdoors for a child’s growth this summer.
“The aim is to use the more freeform environment of the summer to let children grow and learn from their environment—in essence, incorporating the Montessori Method into a child's summer activities” says Mark Pereira, Director of Century Montessori Private School. "Traditional education methods are physically limiting and summer gives a direct, hands-on way for children to learn and have fun at the same time."
The Montessori Method provides a viable framework for how parents can accomplish their child benefitting from being outdoors. This is in part due to the creator of the Montessori Method, Maria Montessori, being a strong believer in the importance of outdoor education, once stating that, “There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature, to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature… so that the child may better understand and participate in the marvelous things which civilization creates.” (Source: “Favourite Montessori Nature Quotes,” HowWeMontessori.com; http://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/2015/07/montessori-and-nature.html, last accessed July 31, 2015.)
The child should be left to their own devices to find their own interests within the outdoor space the parent has chosen Just like in a Montessori classroom, the child will eventually gravitate to the outdoor activities that suit their natural temperament. It's a hands-on experience for the child and hands-off for the parent, who only need offer some guidance if asked.
“The most important part is to find a space that provides multiple ways of interacting with the environment: nature trails, park visits, even a home garden all work as hands-on areas,” Pereira concludes. ” Although many children attend summer camps, the structured nature of most camps does not permit the same type of freeform development that a Montessori-based summer activity does.”
Century Montessori Private School uses the Montessori Method to provide holistic learning experiences for children of all age groups. To learn more about the Montessori Method and Century Montessori Private School's programs, visit www.CenturyMontessori.com.
Contact Info:
Name: Mark Pereira
Email: Send Email
Organization: Century Montessori Private School
Address: 11181 Yonge Street Richmond Hill, Ontario L4S 1L2
Phone: (905) 737-1160
Website: http://www.centurymontessori.com/
Release ID: 88407