Visits to the Montessori Farm School in Białka
In 2024, as part of the “Erdkinder Montessori & Farm School” project, an intensive series of student mobilities took place at Montessori Farm School in Białka. Over the course of the year, five visits were organised, bringing together a total of 50 students and 10 teachers from partner schools in the Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Latvia, and Slovakia. Each group spent five days in Białka, living and working according to the principles of Montessori Erdkinder.
The mobility programme offered students a full immersion in the daily life of the farm community: morning responsibilities, work in the garden, carpentry studio or kitchen, care of animals, and thematic workshops based on the four educational programmes developed within the project. Through these activities, students learned cooperation, responsibility, time management, and the value of meaningful, real-life work as part of their learning experience.
Each visit also included an off-site excursion, which varied depending on the season. Groups either enjoyed a cultural and historical trip to Lublin or took part in a group kayaking adventure, both of which strengthened integration, provided opportunities for international friendships, and allowed students to experience the local environment in different ways.
All five mobilities concluded with students preparing a final presentation summarising their experiences. They shared observations about practical work in the Erdkinder environment, reflections on living within a community, and insights into the skills they developed during the stay. Many emphasised that the mobility had been a transformative experience, offering growth in independence, confidence, cultural awareness, and a deeper connection to nature.
The mobilities carried out in 2024 became one of the most meaningful achievements of the project, demonstrating how Montessori education can successfully connect theory with practice and how impactful real-world experience is on adolescent development. Each visit strengthened international cooperation and contributed to building a united community of partner schools, laying a strong foundation for the next stages of the project.
