Glowing health - physical, emotional and spiritual
Beyond the deck was the garden - unmanicured and wild. This in particular is Tawa's gift-provocation to us all!! Pam Shand
I was so pleased to finally get a chance to observe at Tawa Montessori School. What I found there delighted me. First, social, grounded children. Children who came to meet me at the gate and who graciously guided me into the classroom. This, and the ongoing offers of help and explanation throughout the morning were in sharp contrast to most Montessori environments where children are encouraged to stay focused on their activity and ignore the observers, except possibly to politely offer a cup of tea or glass of juice. These children were of the world - outgoing, engaged, natural. Definitely interested in my presence.
The indoor area was generally familiar as a Montessori environment and children were busy with a range of activities. The practical life area of the classroom was under weather-proof decking which allowed children the freshness of being outside without the hardships of inclement weather. Beyond the deck was the garden - unmanicured and wild. This in particular is Tawa's gift-provocation to us all!! What happens if "gardens" are wild?? Tawa's children delighted in introducing me to the chickens, the guinea pigs, the rabbits, the weta hotel, the budgies and more. They showed me how to feed the animals, harvest lettuce leaves from the garden and how to look for worms in the compost. I was not inundated with children - they were actually busy with their own chosen activities, but as their attention came to rest on me, one by one they invited me into their space.
I had already heard Anja talk about the Tawa environment and what they were trying to achieve, so I was quite ready for the physical plant I saw. It was, more or less, what I expected. What took me by surprise were the children - calm, gentle, focused children. Children who belong to their space and willingly share it. Children whose very beings are grounded in the natural world. What does this mean? How do we grow in the directions of sustainability and interdependence? How do we give our children the natural world - an unprepared, "prepared environment?" I have SO many questions..... but I definitely know that this is a direction I want to explore as a teacher. What I saw here was "glowing health" - physical, emotional and spiritual. Thank you so much Anja!!
- Pam Shand, Montessori teacher, October 2008