As well as following the Montessori approach I also have Hygge in the Early Years accreditation. Hygge (pronounced Hu-guh) is a Danish word and concept and is about embracing the simple joys and pleasures in life. In early years this translates into creating a cosy, warm and homely environment for children, where children are encouraged to learn at their own pace and aren’t rushed into learning new things. This connects closely with the Montessori philosophy of ‘following the child’ and the Froebel slow pedagogy approach. I am also inspired by the Froebel approach to early years education, where the focus is on children’s play, learning through nature and having a connection to the local community.
I have blended the Montessori, Hygge and Froebel philosophies to create a nature-based curriculum, providing a rich and diverse learning experience for children when working outside in the garden, on local nature walks and outings to places like nature reserves, reservoirs and woodlands. This focus on nature and outdoor learning has been found to inspire curiosity, wonder and awe and to improve mental and physical wellbeing, not just for the children but also the early years practitioners who implement this nature based curriculum.
