A Montessori Education
"We discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being."
- Maria Montessori
Montessori sees the child as infinitely capable and unique. She proposes the principle of Following the Child along their independent learning journey. The children are responsible for choosing their own work, growing in independence and actualisation. The adult in the environment is primarily an observer with the duty of crafting a prepared environment that facilitates the child's learning.
An emphasis on nature education
"If children do not grow up knowing about nature they will not understand it. And if they do not understand it, they will not protect it."
-Sir David Attenborough
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There are mounting concerns associated with the prevalent human-nature disconnect. These concerns speak to both the well-being of humans and our planet. ​We believe in the importance of providing our children with the opportunity to connect with the natural world; allowing them to develop a relationship with the earth and all her little creatures, and find the time and space to reap the benefits that nature offers for their development.
an ecological learning paradigm
We are part of an intricate ecosystem called the Earth - an important knowing that we hold dear in all that we learn and be. In order for our children to develop a deep sense of belonging and feeling of embeddedness within our environment we embody an ecological paradigm of learning.
Now what does that mean?
All knowledge is intrinsically multi-disciplinary- it is exceptionally difficult to separate our world into subjects. As an alternative we practice project-based learning along a Cosmic curriculum. We are conscious of making our learning relatable to the children in their everyday lives and then broadening the horizon to contemplate our situation in the global environment. This approach aids the children in understanding how interconnected life is and how their actions can have global effects.
We believe in a holistic education: one that serves the cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of the children. We achieve this through providing each child with an individualised curriculum. Their work is led by their interests - fostering a love for learning. Their tasks are designed to promote the development of 21st century skills, equipping them for our rapidly changing world. Our children enjoy working on meaningful Project-Based Learning projects, which encourage them to solve problems together. During these projects they develop and refine their creative thinking, critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
An ecological education paradigm sees the teacher as a facilitator and the children as leaders in their own learning. This approach encourages the children to practice time management, task initiation, and take responsibility for their learning. They also develop a strong sense of self, confidence in their abilities, and come to realise their capability.
