Montessori Education
Montessori education consists of a self-directed a
self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play; where children get a deeper understanding of the different areas of knowledge (mathematics, language, science, arts, music, etc.) and a greater development in their strengths. Montessori schools believe in the benefits of being in contact with nature.
Earthship Biotecture
Earthship biotecture is a company that designs and builds earthships (a type of house built with natural and recycled materials, designed to produce water, electricity and food for its own use). Earthship biotecture was born with the idea of helping the planet, solving the problem of excessive trash and creating affordable housing.
Furthermore, it founded a non-profit organization that builds earthships, which later veterans, children and many other people in need of a house, a school or a clinic use.
In addition to their designs being built with recycled and natural materials, those principles based on environmental awareness, compassion and generosity represent Goodland Montessori School.
Richard Dattner
Richard Dattner was an architect, author of the book Design for Play, where he wrote: "A playground should be like a small scale replica of the world, with as many as possible of the sensory experiences to be found in the world included in it. Experiences for every sense are needed, for instance: rough and smooth objects to look at and feel; light and heavy things to pick up; water and wet materials warmed by the sun; soft and hard surfaces; things that make sounds (running water) or that can be struck, plucked, plinked, etc.; smells of all varieties (flowers, bark, mud); shiny, bright objects and dull, dark ones; things that are both huge and tiny; high and low places to look at and from; materials of every type, natural and synthetic, think, thick, and so on."
Jim Greenman
Jim Greenman dedicated more than thirty years to the early childhood field as an educator, early childhood administrator, and author. He played a significant role in the facility and program design process for more than 100 early childhood projects, taught at the Institute on Child Care Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and was senior vice president for education and program development at Bright Horizons Family Solutions.
He defended the idea that childhood is the time period when children become the people they will be. He stated that all the experiences and interactions they have with their environment shape them, emphasizing the importance of an active education that supports their strengths.
This mindset could be applied when designing a green playground, regarding the importance of being in contact with nature to develop consciousness and gratefulness, and learn to take care of the Earth.
Natural Play Spaces
Nature play spaces have multiple benefits regarding health, sensory stimulation, consideration for nature, community engagement…
Moreover, the resources available, the precautions needed for it to be safe (regarding the materials used and the state laws) and the importance of including plants have to be taken into account.
Nature playgrounds provide children with a range of essential experiences: to engage senses; to observe and discover; to imagine, create, engineer, and build; and to play actively. Nature play spaces support social, emotional, and behavioral regulation and allow students and staff to decompress, regroup, and re-engage.
Students' Survey
We extended a survey to the students of Goodland Montessori School that will be using this playground. We believe that students should be involved in the decision, and that they will feel it belongs more to them if they get to choose what equipment they will have. The results were taken into account when designing the playground, but other factors such as safety and materials available were too.