“An environment-based education movement--at all levels of education--will help students realize that school isn't supposed to be a polite form of incarceration, but a portal to the wider world.”
― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

There is nothing more magical to the children than the first snow of the year. Conversations about Christmas have started in the Primary classes, while Elementary children are wondering what happens to the leaves still on the tree, as the snow falls. Even the adolescents were a bit more playful, as the snow fell.

Here at Clay-Platte Montessori, we have often used the phrase, “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing,” to describe our philosophy about outdoor play time. In fact, it is only when weather poses a physical danger to the children—as warned by the National Weather Service—that we don’t go outside.

As a culture, we have become so accustomed to moderate temperatures, many of us have deprived our bodies of necessary interaction with nature. Richard Louv deemed this condition Nature-Deficit Disorder, in his book, The Last Child in the Woods. In fact, our systems crave sunlight. While much attention has been paid to protecting our skin from the sun, the World Health Organization’s report, The Global Burden of Disease Due to Ultraviolet Radiation, explained that there is far more disease related to underexposure to ultraviolet radiation than overexposure. We need sunlight.

The children’s energy tells us everything we need to know about this. On days that they have time outside, a vast majority of the children are able to control their energy and concentrate in the classroom. Without that time, a great many find themselves unable to control their energy and, thus, unable to concentrate. The adults feel it too, though they have more developed self-control skills.

While outside, the children get to run, to be loud, to build with sticks, to move so much of their body that must—out of necessity—be controlled indoors. They balance on tree trunks and jump from tree cookie to tree cookie. They brachiate, as they swing from monkey bars. They turn upside down and roll down hills. All of these activities develop their muscul0-skeletal system, aid in their equilibrium, and are just fun.

This winter, even on super cold days, we will bundle up and go outside, even if it’s just for five minutes. …And on days when it is unsafe, please send us calming energy!...

—Jen Stoll, Owner & Director

Let's Talk About Snow, Baby!