Nienhuis USA_2022

Earth Day - April 22nd Each year as we celebrate Earth Day, we are reminded that the planet Earth is our ‘real’ home, ‘our world’ - a place we must continually respect, nurture and protect! As the human population continues to flourish, a great number of our essential resources are depleted. The result of this is devastating to our beautiful planet. We must keep these continuously negative environmental impacts we cause, under careful observation! Action must be taken! It is of utmost importance we continue bringing awareness to the fragile state of our planet before its too late! This is the essence of Earth Day... understand the powerful impact that just one individual has on our earth. By developing a heightened awareness and sensitivity to the various environmental issues, children learn to understand the delicate interconnectedness we all share. Through learning to be respectful of others within the microcosm of the Montessori classroom, children learn to be empathetic and respectful to all. Montessori was a firm believer in the power of nature. She was a strong advocate of using natural materials and products in the classroom. This, she felt, instilled a sense of beauty and harmony in the indoor Montessori environment. She believed nature was a source of inspiration for all learning, and strongly encouraged her teachers to take the children outdoors to explore whenever possible. She also was a fervent believer that the future of our planet rests within the education of the child. Montessori’s vision of Cosmic Education was for children to

The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the earth. - Maria Montessori

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