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The kindergarten welcomes insects
Published: 05 August 2024
Text: Anne-Marie Korseberg Stokke
Photo: Anne-Marie Korseberg Stokke
The initiative to replace the grass lawns surrounding Oslo Science Park with flower meadows started in the summer of 2023. This will benefit the area's biological diversity and provide an insect sanctuary. Now, the children at Forskningsparken Montessori kindergarten are working on their own accommodation for small critters.
"We are making homes for the bees!"
The children at the kindergarten are well aware of the vital role that insects play in the ecosystem and the necessity of caring for them. The older children have ventured into the "forest" on the outskirts of the kindergarten's lush outdoor spaces. Armed with logs and tools, they are diligently working to create small holes at the ends of the logs, with some assistance from the adults.
"Last summer, we constructed a nice wooden house that will soon transform into a grand insect hotel. We plan to fill it with logs, sticks, cones, and other natural materials we discover. We are not finished yet, but are making steady progress," explains Tina Pfeifer, the kindergarten's manager.
After completing the task of crafting holes in the logs, the children walk through bushes and shrubbery to reach the designated hotel, aptly named "Krypinn." Each child ceremoniously places their contribution on one of the floors.
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Forskningsparken Montessori is wholly owned by Oslotech AS, the company managing Oslo Science Park, and serves as a convenient option for employees seeking a nearby kindergarten. A fundamental objective of Montessori pedagogy is to give children an understanding of how everything in the world is connected.
"We have a responsibility to take care of the earth we live on, understand it, and respect it. For us, this means everything from getting to know the local area to learning about other cultures. The project with flower meadows and insects creates an understanding of how different things in nature depend on each other," says Pfeifer.
In addition to the insect hotel, the 39 kindergarten children tend to an organic kitchen garden where they grow vegetables, fruits, and berries. The kindergarten is centrally located by the subway, in peaceful surroundings. The outdoor areas feature a sandbox, toys, swings, and a popular playhouse.
Forskningsparken Montessori
The kindergarten is connected to Oslo Science Park og is located right next to Blindern metro station. It is divided into two departments with 15 children aged 1-3 and 24 children aged 3-6. The kindergarten is based on the teachings of Maria Montessori and is a member of Montessori Norge.
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