Biophilic Educational Spaces for Early Childhood: Integrating Montessori Principles with Environmental Psychology¹

Contemporary educational environments increasingly emphasize the importance of spatial quality in children's cognitive, emotional, and social development. Among recent architectural approaches, biophilic design has emerged as a significant strategy for improving educational environments by strengthening the relationship between humans and nature. Simultaneously, the Montessori educational philosophy highlights the importance of the "prepared environment" in promoting independent learning and sensory development. This study aims to investigate the integration of biophilic design principles with Montessori educational concepts in early childhood learning environments. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology based on literature review, analysis of educational theories, and examination of child-centered learning spaces. Findings indicate that natural light, vegetation, organic materials, visual connection with nature, and flexible outdoor learning areas positively influence children's concentration, creativity, emotional well-being, and learning motivation. Moreover, the integration of environmental psychology with Montessori spatial principles can create educational environments that support sensory learning and holistic child development. The study concludes that biophilic educational spaces can significantly improve the quality of preschool learning environments and enhance children's psychological and cognitive performance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Biophilic Design ، Montessori Education ، Environmental Psychology ، Educational Architecture ، Early Childhood ، Learning Environment