Last week during our Montessori Mondays series, we wrote about the power of observation, a practice that authentic Montessori schools engage in regularly to more clearly understand a child’s academic, social and emotional development in the classroom.
Today we will examine the same concept but in a different environment. Outside in nature! Mountain Laurel Montessori is a nature-based preschool program redefining what it means to be ‘outside everyday.’
Stick Play - A Sensorial Experience
Our public Montessori school is u-shaped with an enclosed garden in the middle. This tiny plot is our oasis. Tucked in between concrete and tall buildings, sits a tranquil piece of land with tall pine trees and fruit bearing apple trees. This garden space consists of a few plant beds, tiny trails, bug hotels and seating spaces. Children mostly run around, roll logs, and make up games.
One day, children were carrying sticks and banging them on different objects in the garden. At first, they clanked the sticks against trees, then logs and last…on the school’s windows. Immediately, teachers inside began to mime for the preschoolers to stop!
After my observations during this garden time, it was apparent that the children were interested in the sensorial aspects of banging sticks against various objects. Instead of restricting stick play, I decided to do something else.
I lobbied our school’s parent group to put up some chicken wire and gather various pots and pans that were no longer needed in the community. On a Saturday, I went to school and hung the pots and pans on the chicken wire, creating an outdoor musical area.
At first, I just showed the area to the children and made sure some sticks were present. It was amazing to watch what the children did next. Some banged the pots and pans with their hands, others used sticks, some threw pinecones. Several explored the sounds by hitting a pot with different objects. Children made patterns. It was a beautiful cacophony of sounds.
Sticks are allowed. In a nature-based preschool, children learn safe ways to use sticks, rocks and other tools we may usually deem as ‘dangerous.’ At Mountain Laurel Montessori, we are so excited to utilize our urban natural environment in innovative ways that promote discovery, risk taking and exploration.
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