Nature education

"Eco" stands for ecological school

The topic of nature conservation and environmental protection is constantly present in the everyday life of our modern society. The Montessori EcoSchool sees itself as an ecological school that uses ecological and sustainable products as far as possible in food, equipment, consumables and even cleaning agents. From the very beginning, the children are encouraged to use our resources sparingly and responsibly.

Mindfulness and respect

Especially in their first years of life, children - if given enough opportunity - develop an intense love for nature. This can develop an attitude of mindfulness and respect for other living beings, which is needed today more than ever to protect our home - planet Earth. Competences that develop from this awareness will be in demand in the future in a wide variety of professions.

Holistic educational offers

In her explanations, Maria Montessori repeatedly emphasised the importance of nature for the development of the child. She already noted in her time that children lived far too far away from nature and had too little opportunity to come into contact with it or even to gain direct experience in nature.[1]. This statement is more valid than ever. Experiences in nature not only offer the child diverse and open opportunities for action, many sensory experiences, as well as the opportunity to research or solve problems, but also gives them the opportunity to live out their urge to move.

Regular time in nature

For Maria Montessori, it was a great concern to prepare an environment for each child that corresponds to his or her developmental needs. Therefore, nature at our school is an extension of the "prepared environment" for the child, and spending time in nature is an important part of the weekly work time. The crèche children spend time outdoors every day, the children in the children's house spend every afternoon outside in nature and the primary school children spend at least one morning a week exploring different aspects of nature in a concrete way.

Nature in the prepared environment

Animals and plants are also a supporting element of the prepared environment within the group rooms of the children's house and primary school. From the very beginning, the children learn to care for them and take responsibility for other living beings. The care of the school garden, in which the children can grow and harvest useful plants, is also part of everyday life at the Montessori EcoSchool.

Indirect preparation

Last but not least, the diverse concrete experiences and the emotional connection to nature create important prerequisites for later - more systematic - science lessons and offer many points of contact.


[1] Cf. Montessori, Maria (1969): The Discovery of the Child, p. 76.