Cosmic Education Montessori: The Role of Cosmic Education in Montessori Classrooms “ Is that form of relating the child to the universe and to humanity that will enable him to realize all the “Let us give the child a vision of the whole universe ….. For all things are part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.” Dr. Maria Montessori
Introduction to Cosmic Education Montessori
The Greek word cosmos refers to “order and harmony “ in the world/universe, the opposite of which would be “chaos”. The term “cosmic education” was introduced by Dr. Maria Montessori to refer to an educational approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all the elements of the universe.
Cosmic education can be defined as an overall approach to education that equips students with awareness that everything in the universe is connected and interdependent and forms a harmonious whole, no matter whether it is the tiniest molecule or the largest organism over created.
Everything has a part to play, a contribution to make to maintain harmony in the whole. In understanding this network of relationships, the student finds that he or she also is a part of the whole, and has a part to play, a contribution to make.
Cosmic education seeks to offer the young, at the appropriate sensitive period, the stimulation and help they need to develop their minds, their vision and their creative vision and their creative power.
During the elementary (6-12) years Montessori’s cosmic education gives the child first an all-encompassing sense of the universe with its billions of galaxies.
Cosmic Education Montessori Then, it focuses on our Galaxy, the Milky Way, our solar system. Planet Earth and its geological species of plants and animals and finally human beings. Inherent in the whole study is the interconnectedness of all creation, the oneness of things. We, human beings, are a vital connected part of the universe. Our very existence depends upon the proper functioning of all the elements of the universe working in coherence. Disharmony in even one element of this perfect mega-system can cause a catastrophe.
“Unveiling the Divine Plan: The Spiritual Foundations and Holistic Principles of Cosmic Education in Montessori Philosophy”
Cosmic Education Montessori is founded on the philosophy of Maria Montessori. Cosmic Education was started in the early 20th century Montessori in Italy. Montessori’s philosophy of education was largely spiritual. She believed in a divine plan for the earth and the cosmos, and that it was humanity’s duty to help in the unfolding of this plan. Within each child, Montessori believed, is a spiritual embryo that should be neutered if the divine plan is to be realized. Cosmic education is based on the following principles;
- The sim of education is the development of total personality, not of independent functions or processes. Montessori held a holistic view of development.
- An optimal environment is crucial to the development of the child. Learning materials should be presented to children that allow them to work independently. The self-directed activity of the child must be respected by the teacher. Montessori believed that everyone has a role in the cosmic order, and that the role of the child is to be educated in the best way.
Cosmic education calls for integration and coordination of all the elements of a curriculum in order to achieve holistic learning. The child must be educated about his cosmic role. The child must understand the scope of creation and realize how humans came to this world and built the physical environment to where it is now.
The humanistic aspect of personality can be developed through proper integration of cosmic education in the curriculum. Only when he understands that everything is connected and harm to one person/element of nature means harm to himself or the whole human species or life in general, he becomes a human. Cosmic education instills joyfulness, calmness and serenity in the children. It also adds into the sense of responsibility in children and reinforces the following core qualities of the human spirit.
Peace
Cosmic Education Montessori urges that all the universe are one as they came from the same source. So destroying any element of the universe means destructing oneself, harming others means to harm oneself. This consciousness ultimately motivates the child to act in peaceful ways, which are beneficial for him as well as the whole world . the child becomes more aware of the fact that a better world means a better life for himself, likewise , his better way of living will ultimately help to create a better world.
Conservation
Cosmic Education Montessori Nature ever goes wasted . It is only when the natural processes are affected by human interference that things begin to go wrong . Cosmic education helps children understand how nature tends to conserve and by cutting down, recycling and saying no to certain things we can help create a better world for ourselves. Water saved by me may save a life in some other part of the world, as everything is interconnected. Our actions will always have consequences, which may be either good or bad.
Values
Cosmic Education Montessori The human being is the only creature with a heart, mind and the ability to ponder. He has the ability to manage his life and other things on the planet. While progressing in cosmic education, the child may encounter various questions, such as;
- Who am i?
- What is my nature as a living creature ?
- Is there a purpose to life and, if so, what is it ?
- What is my role in the world?
- How do I give meaning to my life ?
- What is the role of my family, community, and culture in the world?
- How do I care for myself ?
- Why and how do I care about the rest of the world ?
- How do I work together with others to fulfill my role in this universe ?
All these questions can be answered in a meaningful way through Cosmic Education Montessori’s considerate approach to cosmic education. And once the child understands all this, he will begin to think about the integrity of the universe and consequences of human actions. This will lead him to analyze his behavior and evaluate his actions.
Hope
Cosmic Education Montessori This universe is beautiful and everyone here is supposed to spread peace, love and harmony but violent situations still exist. These situations can be termed as controllable or avoidable (e.g. accidents, terrorism etc.) or uncontrollable, which are beyond human control (e.g. meteors colliding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, etc.) Cosmic education emphasizes hope by giving the message that despite all the violence in the universe, life still goes on. Civilizations have progressed from simple hunting gathering to modern complexities. Cosmic education encourages children to be hopeful and able to view and assess worldly affairs in a positive manner.
Gratitude
Cosmic education draws the attention of the children towards the good aspects of life on earth, and encourages them to develop a sense of gratitude. Life has evolved itself from the simplest forms like unicellular organisms to highly complex forms as we see today. Similarly, the labor and hard work of our ancestors have brought knowledge, technology and comfort to the present age.
Openness
Cosmic education tends to give children a sense of openness to all possibilities. Man has been exploring the universe ever since and will continue to do so. This quest has revealed that the universe is a vast dynamic entity along with all its elements including our planet earth. Nothing is stagnant in the ever evolving universe. Our planet is going to end one day, but that may not be the end of human species as we may always move from here to some other planet. Thus, cosmic education does not only raise queries in the minds of the children, but also encourages them to seek solutions with a sense of openness to all possibilities.
The foundation for cosmic education is laid in Montessori (ages 3-6 years) by pursuing an approach that unifies all the elements of the curriculum for achieving one spiritual aim and by further developing the existing connections between the children, their senses and the natural world.
But proper formal cosmic education begins at Montessori elementary level (age 6 – 12 years) with the Five Great Lessons.
Cosmic Education Montessori In simple terms, the purpose of whole cosmic education is that students come to understand that if an answer to a question , a solution to a problem or an action does not lead to conditions of harmony, quiet, calmness and greater peace in the world — then that answer, solution or action is not fully compatible with the norms of the universe. Such awareness helps to create peace in the world. Peace can be considered as the ultimate objective of cosmic education.
developmental that is his own particular birthright”
From “laying the foundations for cosmic Education in the child 3-6 years” by Patricia Hilson
Cosmic Education Montessori In most Montessori schools, formal peace and cosmic education begin during the lower elementary years i.e. during 6 to 9 years of age. However, cosmic education and peace concepts should also be integrated into classroom practices earlier during the preschool years i.e. 3 to 6 years.
Cosmic Education Montessori So that the children indirectly get prepared for formal cosmic and peace education, which is to be introduced in the later years. The directress shield focuses on the fact that young children during the absorbent age should live the concept of peace and cosmic education, which facilitates the development of the basis for future exploration of peace and cosmic education.