How does Montessori practice embed sustainability? Montessori Consultant Sarah Cummins explains that social development sits alongside academic learning, children are supported in building a sense of ownership of their community and environmental stewardship is embedded early on. We also discuss some misconceptions around Montessori practice as well as how we can support higher education students in becoming passionate educators and sustainably minded advocates for the planet.

Read Sarah’s article:

Montessori for sustainability –

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/Montessori-for-sustainability/  

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode you might also like: 

Essential skills for social sustainability with Carmela Garcia Manas - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/essential-skills-for-social-sustainability/ 

Life skills over academic achievement with Zanna Clarke and Carmela Garcia Manas -  

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/ 

Telling hopeful stories of advocacy, agency and rights in ECEC with Dr Jo Albin-Clark and Dr Nathan Archer - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/advocacy-agency-and-rights-in-early-childhood/

 Episode break down:

00:00 – Why are we talking about sustainability?   01:40 – Sustainability starts from early childhood 04:00 – The Montessori lens – focusing on community 06:45 – Peaceful conflict resolution – restorative practice 07:45 – The classroom is the child’s, not the adult’s 08:20 – Cultural awareness – global perspectives 12:00 – Equipping children with self-expression 14:25 – Trusting the child’s interest 16:22 – Freedom within limits 17:45 – Mixed-age environments  22:00 – Preparing children for the future or focusing on this moment? 24:45 – Protecting children’s individuality

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com