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By its very nature, the Montessori environment is beautiful. The use of natural objects and light add peace, harmony, and balance. They also enhance the awareness of the natural world. The Montessori teacher helps extend this awareness far beyond the immediate environment to the entire universe. She presents the universe to the children as a whole concept, from the beginning of time to the present. And the children come to understand how the universe, and more specifically the earth, is ever changing. Today, with the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, it becomes a vital piece of Montessori’s cosmic vision that we take responsibility for our impact on the earth and attempt to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. Bringing awareness to the Montessori environment about carbon footprints There are many ways you can bring awareness of natural resources into your Montessori environment and community. Make use of natural light and turn off lights when ...

Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink. —Samuel Taylor Coleridge The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Three quarters of the earth is water. Considered a renewable resource, water usage is often easily abused, especially in communities where it flows freely out of the tap. In most developed areas, we are no longer personally responsible for gathering and carrying our water daily. All we could ever want is delivered into our homes, schools, and businesses. Tips for Water Conservation Montessori Families Can Work on Together But consider these facts: Only 0.003% of water on Earth is freshwater available for human consumption. (DoSomething.org) Every 20 seconds a family in Sub-Saharan Africa loses someone to water-related disease. (Water is Life) 750 million people around the world lack access to safe water; approximately one in nine people. (Water.org) Women and children spend 140 million hours a day collecting water (Water.org)...