Outdoor Environment

There are infinite qualities of the Montessori Tides environment both indoor and outdoor worth admiring. Although, one noteworthy trait of the Montessori Tides Preschool and Elementary environment is their endeavor to create a free-flow inside-outside environment.

Now days you see so often, especially in the conventional schooling, “intellectual activities” are done inside, and “physical activities” are done outside. The only items found outside are normally playground equipment and a few balls. Surely this must separate the work of the mind and the body. When a free-flow inside–outside environment is established the child not only explores outdoor activities such as playground equipment, balls and sand exploration, but  indoor activities , such as painting, puzzles, musical instruments, books, and even block building. Maria Montessori felt the most important work is done when both the mind and body are working together to create.

When Montessori said, “Give the world to the child”, she was referring to giving the child time and exposure to the beauty of the natural world-clouds passing overhead, the sight and smell of flowers, the wind rustling the leaves in the tree. While every season has its own beauty, summer is the perfect time to extend your indoor environment to the great outdoors. If you are fortunate enough to have a screened in porch or a covered deck you can have a more permanent outdoor environment. However, with a few simple touches you can create this same outdoor environment by just taking few choice works outside displayed on blankets, in baskets, or on a small child size table.