"There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all the life to be found around them, in a real forest. Something emanates from those trees which speaks to the soul, something no book, no museum, is capable of giving." (Montessori, From Childhood to Adolescence)
Instilling a love and appreciation for nature is a key component of the Montessori philosophy. As Earth Day approaches, we have an opportunity to evaluate how often we offer our children, and ourselves, genuine time in nature. Below are four simple ways you can celebrate Earth day with children of all ages! Be sure to share your own ideas in the comments below!
Get outside! The easiest way to honor Earth Day is to get outside in nature! This could look like spending time in your backyard, going for a walk around the neighborhood, going for a hike, exploring a local creek or riverbed, or going camping.
Do some yard work together. Weeding, preparing garden beds, planting, and watering are all great activities for the whole family! If you don't have any outdoor space, consider planting seeds indoors or or caring for some houseplants with your child.
Go to the library. The library is a great eco-friendly resource for researching and learning about topics related to the environment such as plant or animal identification, gardening, forestry, insects, recycling, sustainability, and pollution.
Pick up trash. Choose a location (your yard, your neighborhood, a local park, etc) and go for a trash hunt. Bring along a trash bag and some gloves and pick up any trash you see.