“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature.” — Dr. Maria Montessori Upon entering a Montessori environment, you may notice an abundance of plants along with a classroom pet or two.
Care of the environment is an integral part of the practical life curriculum in Montessori. Caring for animals in our classrooms is one way for children to take ownership of the environment in which they spend their time on a daily basis. It also allows students to become aware that they can make a difference in the world around them.
When observing children as part of her early childhood education research, Maria Montessori noticed that children gained immense satisfaction from caring for living things. Care of the environment, including the care of animals, is part of the practical life curriculum and an important part of Montessori education. This is why our classrooms at Creative Minds Montessori have been homes to a variety of animals, including fish, bunnies, tortoises, bearded dragons, baby ducks, butterflies and toads — to name a few.
Here at CMMS, we value caring for animals. In our classrooms you can find a variety of animal life, depending on the season. From teaching responsibility and empathy to providing unique hands-on learning opportunities, classroom pets become invaluable members of our educational community.
These small companions offer children the chance to engage with .