Cosmic Education

I think a lot about the difference in the education being provided in a mainstream, state school versus a Montessori elementary school. My son, who is now six, is in year one, and I am definitely satisfied with the state school he attends, but we do a lot of extra learning outside of his school days. When I mention ‘extra learning’, this does not refer to a schedule of formal practise in reading or writing, our continued work is hands on and interactive, and often independent. 

Why do I do this? 

Well, because what I think mainstream lacks and what I feel Montessori provides for six to nine year olds is what Maria Montessori referred to as Cosmic Education. This, in one sense, provides our children with a big picture map of where it all fits into; some order for their brains to index and relate the more detailed information to. This ‘universal’ education provides children with an understanding of the history of the planet, country, language, numbers he uses, animals and the plants that surround him. This global perspective helps a child to make sense of the detail, provides a framework. 

Yet, it not only helps in the comprehension but it also helps a child to gain a sense of respect and awe for all of the people and events that have taken place prior to their own lives, which I believe helps a child to gain humility as well as inspiration. This is food for their imagination and this is what can help them to take physical, concrete learning to abstract understanding. 

I feel that our current curriculum expects children to take the leap to abstraction far too early. What can we do to help our children at mainstream schools? My suggestion is to, as far as possible, follow their curiosities and interests. If they are showing an interest in Space, take them to a planetarium, loan books from the library on The Big Bang theory, find interesting short videos on Youtube - I love Mystery Science for bitesize, child-friendly mini-lessons. It may be horses that your child is fascinated by, in that case, visit a stable, find out how many different type of horses there are, paint pictures of the different colouring and markings of different breeds. There are so many resources out there to help us as parents to supplement our children’s education. Think of your child’s bedroom as their studio - a place of imagination, creativity and exploration. I will be posting on our stories my favourites books, IG pages and websites to use. 

“"The purpose is not to create walking encyclopedias of knowledge... The "stuff" the students learn is almost incidental to the enrichment of the context they gain for understanding themselves and their place in the universe."

Cosmic Education launches youngsters into society practiced in thinking about who they are, as individuals, as part of the human species, as citizens of a nation, of members of a planetary ecology, and so on. Ultimately, it introduces the possibility that humanity might have a "cosmic" task, a meaningful purpose beyond consumption and procreation.” Quote from J.A. Beydler.

#montessori #holisticeducation #creativity #cosmiceducation #parenting