How to Practice Montessori Curriculum at Home: Care of the Outdoor Environment

Care of the outdoor environment is a part of the activities in the Montessori classroom. As a part of the Montessori practical life curriculum, these activities help teach the direct aims of concentration, coordination, control, independence, and order. Many of these activities can translate into the home environment, to help maintain the home-to-school connection.

Picking Up Trash

No matter where you are, people are littering left and right. Kids can help by picking up trash they find outside. They can also learn a lesson in recycling by sorting the littler they uncover. Protect their hands by making them wear gloves. Add more hand muscle-building by teaching them how to use a grabber to pick up the trash.

Spring Cleaning

Spring is a great time to check on play equipment, steps, decks, etc. If loose pieces are found, have your child assist with repairs. Montessori classrooms have activities that allow children to practice using a hammer and screwdriver. With adult supervision, and safety precautions (such as wearing goggles and gloves), she can be successful at helping. She will also have a sense of pride in a job well done.

Your child can also help with painting projects and scrubbing clean the patio furniture.

Home Composting

Set up a compost bin in the yard. Teach your child to discern which table scraps can go into it and let him be in charge of adding to the pile. Consider setting up a worm composting station so that he can watch the process happen. Then, when it is ready, he can help mix it into the garden.

Gardening

Your young child can help with gardening activities. Let her help prepare the soil in the ground or in the pots. Let her plant the plants and seeds. Teach her how to identify and remove weeds. Give her a watering can so that she can daily water the plants. Teach her how to harvest the fruits and vegetables from the garden.

Raking

In the fall, you can find child-sized rakes at dollar stores, discount retailers, and some chain grocery stores. Get one for your child so that he can assist in the raking work in the fall. Be sure to take time to make leaf piles for jumping. Then use some of those leaves in that compost bin!

Shoveling Snow

When winter arrives, you can also find child-sized snow shovels in the stores. Be realistic about letting your child help shovel. Make sure it is only light snow, and show her how to push, not lift the snow. Put her in charge of a small area.

She can also help spread the salt, as long as she is wearing gloves. Give her a container to scoop the salt out of the bag, then show her how to shake it over the ground.

Teaching your child to care for the outdoor environment is a great way to implement Montessori practical life activities in the home. It will give her life skills while also building her confidence. It will also help you bond with your child.