Using Nature In Education The Montessori Way

Going on a “Nature Walk” can be a fun and meaningful activity for the whole family to enjoy together.

A nature walk can be anywhere: The beach, a park, a field, or even down a neighborhood street or your own yard. There is no right or wrong place as long as it’s natural.

A nature walk presents endless opportunities for learning and discovering. Here are a few fun ideas on how to turn a nature walk into a Montessori activity:

• Go On a Scavenger Hunt. Ask your child to find something hard, dry, light, red, etc. This really gets children thinking! Bring a bag to carry your found treasures (sticks, rocks, leaves, shells) back to the house. (Keep reading to learn about two Montessori activities you can use these items for at a later time to promote learning).
• Incorporate math. Ask your child to count leaves, shells or stones. Symmetry is everywhere in nature, so it would be another easy concept to introduce.
• Be artistic. Bring along some paper and your child’s favorite drawing utensils and let them get creative. It’s better to not give much direction when it comes to art – this encourages them to see art as an extension of themselves, not something that’s right or wrong, pretty or ugly.
• Expand their language skills. Have your child describe what they see. Ask them to use their senses – what do they see, hear, feel, smell? Identify the things you find along the way. If you don’t know the name, you and your child can research it at home together later!
• Explore The World Around You! Ask your child to feel the way the air smells, listen to the sounds of your neighborhood, pay attention to the shape, texture, weight and colors of the objects you come across. Have them use all senses! This is also a great way to practice mindfulness and teach your child how to stay present in the moment.

Once back at home, place the items your child has found in a basket for observation and play. You can also make your own nomenclature cards for the items that you found along your nature walk to later match words to objects. (DOWNLOAD HERE – Montessori Nature Cards)