The Nature Explore Classroom at
CA Montessori Children's Center

 

CA Montessori Children's Center is celebrating their 4th year as a certified Nature Explore Classroom.

CA Montessori Children's Center held many events during the past year. During the Spring Kick-Off, in collaboration with The Early Years Institute, they helped educate parents about the national initiative of "Screen Free Week". Not only were they able to educate families, but local news media was on site and broadcast the importance of the outdoors and the reduction of screen time to the Long Island Community.

A Father's Day picnic was held and an annual Summer Fun Series. The Summer Fun series allows parents to engage their child in the outdoor space with the help of a trained staff member, if needed, during lunch hour. Each week there is a theme.

For the second year in a row, the local Head-Start program was invited to join the children in assorted activities in the Nature Explore Classroom such as "Nature Through the Senses" search, navigating the labyrinth to music and building fairy houses. This past summer, Seatuck Environmental Organization came to educate the kindergarten class and the camp group about the outdoor environment.

This past spring, several trees were added to the field in the classroom. The Kindergarten children's families planted a tree as a graduation gift to the Center. The parents stated that the outside classroom was the children’s favorite spot and the parents felt that the Center had planted a seed for love of learning and environmental awareness in the children.

The preschool children and camp children held their second annual woods trail clean-up on Earth Day with their parents. Collaborating with the on-site cafeteria, children and teachers have started a compost project. This is teaching the children what items are appropriate compost scraps and the wonderful benefits this will have for their gardens.

Staff Professional Development this year has included Project Learning Tree, Riverhead Aquarium workshop on marsh and local seashore and its incorporation into the classroom, tour and discussions with Middle Country Nature Explore Classroom and presentations by Seatuck Environmental Organization.

The space is maintained by the children and staff along with vendors of the facility managers of the property, Jones Lang LaSalle. The space continues to be enjoyed by the children and families through events, lessons and time spend outside for exploration.