Outdoor Education Provided by Kendalwood in Whitby ON

Nature and the outdoor environment are essential components of authentic Montessori education. In our work to develop the whole child, we teach students about the world around them and make important connections to help each child understand their place in that world. Children learn best about their world when they can go out and experience it firsthand. Relating what we are learning in the classroom to the people and the environment that make up the broader community provides important context to and adds meaning to our lessons. The outdoor environment is an extension of the Montessori classroom.

“When the child goes out, it is the world itself that offers itself to him. Let us take the child out to show him real things instead of making objects which represent ideas and closing them up in cupboards.”       – Dr. Maria Montessori

Kendalwood Montessori Extends the Classroom Outdoors

Our campus reflects the value Montessori philosophy places on nature and outdoor education. With plenty of green space and our very own “Enchanted Forest”, students enjoy spending time in our outdoor classroom. Named the Enchanted Forest by our students, these mature trees offer an escape from the sun on hot days and a beautiful backdrop for outdoor lessons.

Kendalwood enjoys several gardens around the school which students take an active role in maintaining throughout the school year. They manage all the primary tasks including annual planting, weed pulling and raking leaves.  We also spend plenty of time playing outside! We have two large playground areas with age-appropriate structures for our toddlers and Pre-Casa students and another for older students.

Adjacent to the school we have access to an expansive soccer field which we use for track and field along with other activities for our Phys. Ed program – including soccer of course! In the winter we use the field for seasonal activities such snowshoeing and our Winter Carnival event.

Each year, our elementary students take part in an outdoor education trip to Camp Muskoka where they have an opportunity to be fully immersed in the outdoor experiential learning program. It is truly an unforgettable experience!

At Kendalwood, we are passionate about authentic Montessori education and we strive to provide a well-rounded and integrated program designed to prepare students for today’s complex and rapidly changing world. Our outdoor education program is part of the Kendalwood Difference.