Montessori Gardening

11 months ago · Updated 10 months ago

The Montessori Gardening activities is an integral part of the Practical Life curriculum at home, offering children a dynamic way to engage with nature while learning valuable life skills.

Benefits of Montessori Gardening

Montessori Principles of Gardening Activities

How to Present the Montessori Gardening Activities

Hands using pruning shears to trim a basil plant, illustrating Montessori Gardening, a Practical Life activity focused on plant care and environmental education. — Gardening provides children with the opportunity to develop practical skills such as planting, watering, and harvesting, which are integral to self-care and environmental responsibility.

📏 Range Age: 3 - 6 years (activity should be adjusted based on the child's age and skill level).

🧠 Prerequisites: Practical Life Activities (Watering Plants, Digging, Using Gardening Tools), Language Activities (vocabulary building activities for types of plants, gardening tools, and techniques), Cognitive Activities (understanding plant life cycles, the importance of sunlight and water)
🛠️ Enhancement Skills: Practical Life Skills (developing responsibility and nurturing care for plants), Cognitive Development (observational skills, understanding ecosystems), Fine Motor Skills (precise handling of tools, planting seeds, removing weeds).

This article explores how gardening fits within the Montessori method and offers practical advice on how parents can integrate these activities into home learning environments effectively.

Content

What is Montessori Gardening?
Benefits of Montessori Gardening
Purpose of Montessori Gardening
Direct Aim
Indirect Aim
Control of Error
Point of Interest
How to Present the Montessori Gardening activities?
References

What is Montessori Gardening?

Montessori Gardening involves children in the direct care of their environment through planting, nurturing, and harvesting plants. It is designed to provide a tactile and interactive experience that teaches children about the biology of plants and the importance of caring for the environment.

The activity encourages children to engage with the earth, fostering a connection with the natural world through hands-on learning.

Benefits of Montessori Gardening

Introducing children to gardening within the Montessori framework provides numerous developmental benefits:

🌱 Understanding Ecosystems: Children learn about the interdependence between plants, animals, and humans, expanding their ecological awareness.
👷 Development of Fine Motor Skills: Handling small seeds, tools, and plants helps refine children's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
🌼 Sensory Stimulation: Gardening engages all senses, from the feel of the soil to the smells of flowers and herbs, enhancing sensory development.
🔄 Responsibility and Patience: Regular care and observation of a garden teach children about responsibility and the rewards of patiently waiting for plants to grow.
📚 Scientific Learning: Children experiment with the effects of sunlight and water on plant growth, promoting scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.

Purpose of Montessori Gardening

The primary purpose of Montessori Gardening is to cultivate a love and respect for nature while teaching practical life skills. Gardening encourages self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship, aligning with Montessori's goal of preparing children to be capable and caring individuals.

Direct Aim

The direct aim of Montessori Gardening is to foster the development of a sense of order, enhance eye-hand coordination, boost self-esteem, improve concentration, and strengthen small muscles. These skills are cultivated as children learn how to care for living things, introducing them to the basics of plant biology and the essentials needed for life.

Indirect Aim

Beyond teaching the technical skills of botany, the indirect aim of Montessori Gardening is to prepare children for outdoor gardening, educate them on planting seeds, and teach them how to create environments conducive to seed growth. This activity also supports emotional and social development, fostering a sense of community and collaboration as children engage together in nurturing a shared garden space.

Control of Error

The control of error in Montessori Gardening is practical and observable through various feedback mechanisms: the correct placement of the saucer in the white box, using a piece of clay pot to cover the drainage hole, and the proper watering of seeds with the pot remaining in the white box. Errors are also evident when seeds are pushed too deep, when water is spilled on the floor or materials, and when materials are not restored to their places. Each of these indicators helps children learn the correct gardening techniques and encourages them to adjust their actions for better plant care.

Point of Interest

The points of interest in Montessori Gardening include the smoothness of the clay pot pieces, the sound of gravel falling into the pot, the compacting of soil as water is poured, the delicacy of picking up tiny parsley seeds to place them on the soil, the organized appearance of gardening materials, and the decision-making involved in choosing a location for the pot. These sensory and decision-making experiences captivate children's attention, enhancing their engagement and enthusiasm for watching seeds transform into thriving plants and contributing to the vibrant colors and textures of the garden.

Children learn about the life cycle of plants, the importance of sunlight and water, and how different environmental factors affect growth, fostering a basic understanding of biological sciences.

How to Present the Montessori Gardening activities?

Note: Next, we will delve into the 'Parsley Planting' activity, a key component of our Montessori Gardening series. If you're interested in exploring other activities included in this series, feel free to view and access any of the activities from the list below:

Materials

A box to organize and store smaller materials neatly.
A small container for holding potting supplies or seeds.
A round tub to mix or hold soil and other planting materials.
A dishpan to contain any mess during the planting process.
A watering can for watering the parsley after planting and for regular maintenance.
A new, unsharpened pencil, useful for making holes in the soil for seeds.
The lid of a coffee can, serving as a convenient tray for organizing or temporary holding of materials.
Two scoops for transferring soil or gravel, appropriately sized for small hands.
A sponge for cleaning up spills and keeping the work area tidy.
A soap dish to hold the sponge or other small items.
Strips of contact paper for labeling the clay pot or marking growth stages.
Pieces of broken clay pot, which can be used for drainage within the pot.
Gravel to layer at the bottom of the clay pot for proper drainage.
Potting soil, the essential medium for planting.
Parsley seeds, the main ingredient for growing the plant.
Water for moistening the soil and aiding germination.
A clay pot and saucer to house the growing parsley plant, providing a stable and aesthetic environment for growth.

The following instructions are montessori presentation of Parsley Planting:

Presentation

Preparation of Materials: Begin by reaching underneath the table with both hands to pick up one clay pot and place it in a white box.
Setting Up the Saucer: Again, reach underneath the table with both hands, pick up a clay saucer, and place it on the table near the bottom right-hand corner.
Labeling the Pot: Take out one strip of green contact paper and ask the teacher to print the child’s name on it with a permanent marker.
Applying the Label: Ask the teacher to remove the backing from the contact paper. With one hand on each end, wrap the label around the top of the clay pot.
Checking the Pot: With both hands, raise the pot to observe the hole in the bottom. Lower the pot back into the box.
Covering the Hole: Using your dominant hand and a three-finger grip, choose one piece of broken clay pot and place it in the pot to cover the hole.
Adding Gravel: Pick up the scoop from the round tub using your dominant hand. Lower the scoop into the gravel, scoop up gravel, and pour it into the pot. Return the scoop to its original location.
Adding Soil: Pick up the scoop from the dishpan with your dominant hand. Lower the scoop into the potting soil, scoop up soil, shake off the excess, and pour it into the pot.
Filling the Pot with Soil: Repeat step 8 three times to fill the pot. Use the bottom of the scoop to smooth out the soil.
Observing Seeds: Take a moment to observe the parsley seeds.
Placing Seeds: With the index finger and thumb of your dominant hand, pick up one seed and place it on the soil.
Repeating Seed Placement: Repeat step 11 three times.
Checking Seed Placement: Observe where the seeds are located on the soil.
Planting Seeds: Grasp a pencil with your dominant hand and use the unsharpened end to gently push the seeds into the soil. Replace the pencil.
Final Placement: Use both hands to lift the pot out of the box and place it on the saucer.
Cleaning Up: Check for spilled dirt in the white box. With both hands, raise the white box, with your dominant hand tap the side, indicate the corner, and pour excess soil into the dishpan containing soil. Replace the box.
Preparing to Water: Point to the green line on the watering pitcher.
Filling the Pitcher: Grasp the handle with your dominant hand, use your sub-dominant hand for support, and carry it to the sink to obtain water. Fill to the green line.
Watering the Plant: Carry the watering pitcher back to the table where the activity is located. Pour water into the clay pot, ensuring not to overwater. Wipe the spout with a sponge and replace the sponge.
Choosing a Location: Choose a sunny window for the pot. Ask the teacher to help place the pot on the window sill to ensure it receives adequate light for growth.

Vocabulary:

Parsley - "This is parsley."
Seed - "This is a parsley seed."
Soil - "We will use this soil."
Pot - "This is the pot for planting."
Plant - "We are going to plant the seeds."
Water - "Water the soil gently."
Spoon or Trowel - "Use the spoon/trowel to dig."
Sprinkle - "Sprinkle the seeds into the pot."
Cover - "Cover the seeds with soil."
Sunlight - "Place the pot in the sunlight."
Care - "Take care of the parsley plant."

Variations & Extentions

Variations

Introduce different types of herbs or small plants to give the child experience with various planting techniques and care requirements.
Use different types of containers or pots, such as biodegradable pots or decorative pots, to explore various gardening styles and environmental impacts.
Experiment with companion planting in larger containers, where parsley can be planted alongside other compatible herbs or flowers, teaching the child about symbiotic plant relationships.

Extension

Create a gardening journal where the child can document the growth of the parsley plant, noting changes, growth stages, and when water and care were given. This can be linked to lessons in science and observation.
Extend the activity to include harvesting the parsley once it is grown, followed by using the parsley in simple cooking activities, to teach the child about the farm-to-table process.
Introduce a science component where the child can learn about the parts of the plant, photosynthesis, and the life cycle of plants, deepening their botanical knowledge.

Recommendations

Ensure that all materials used are child-safe and appropriate for the child’s age and abilities to promote independence and ensure safety.
Regularly monitor the plant with the child to ensure it receives adequate water and sunlight, teaching the child about the ongoing responsibilities of plant care.
Encourage the child to be patient and observant, fostering a nurturing attitude and an appreciation for the slow and rewarding process of growing plants.

References

Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work by E.M. Standing (1962). New York: Penguin Books. pp. 120-135.
The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori (1967). New York: Dell Publishing. pp. 130-145.
Montessori Life Blog - The Official Blog of the American Montessori Society - American Montessori Society
Montessori Education Programs - Montessori Academy

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Hi! I'm Chris Palomino, a B.S. in Psychology, and a mother of a precious one-year-old girl. Over the past eight years, I've been guiding children, particularly those aged 3 to 6 facing developmental and learning challenges, with a special focus on autism and ADHD.

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