Hands are the instrument of human intelligence.
Offered in Argentina and neighbouring countries.
These are the three main themes in our programme:
The aim of the Conscious Education programme of the EFP Foundation is to revitalise the role of the educator, to transmit educational strategies that are both transformative and interactive and to promote the all-round development of children to the fullness of their capabilities. Our work encompasses three main themes in which we offer general training and specific workshops.
Being Human: a spirited education. This invites the children to get to know themselves and builds self-confidence. We teach techniques to both children and adults that help them to manage their emotions, relax, connect with the present moment, develop the intellect, empathise, focus their attention and regain an interested and enthusiastic attitude towards learning and teaching.
The Montessori Method: cultivates concentration, independence and self-discipline, so that children can achieve their full potential. It develops intelligence through work with a specific aim in a carefully prepared environment and trains the will through free choice. The children love to learn and make efforts to improve themselves and progress.
Natural Connection: awe, scientific curiosity, problem-solving skills, a love of adventure and a sense of responsibility towards the environment are naturally awakened in children once they have the chance to explore, observe, care for and directly connect with the wonders of the natural world. Being in contact with nature is also essential for a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Based on these three themes we offer specific workshop topics such as: Inner Stillness - Focused Attention - Creativity - Thinking through Philosophy - Geometry - Maths is magic - Character development in the child - A prepared environment according to Montessori - Imagination - Discipline and freedom according to Montessori - Outdoor classrooms - Alternative Energies - Science and observation - Deep play: Ecology through games - Native Plants - Biomimetics and sustainability - Microcosmos - Handicrafts using recycled materials.
We offer a half day Introductory Workshop to headteachers, teachers and parents as an introduction to the Conscious Education programme. This workshop provides practical experience of the three themes of the programme and some tools which can be applied immediately with children.
We also offer a free, online, distance learning option for the general public as an introduction to A Conscious Education. You can do the Course here although for now it is only available in Spanish
Schools wishing to implement these methods can then choose teacher training courses, open lectures for parents and workshops for children related to one (or more) of the three themes: Being Human, the Montessori Method and Natural Connection. If they wish to investigate a particular theme in more depth, specific topics can be chosen according to the interest and need of each educational community. Activities are offered mainly in Spanish but some can also be run in English.
The teacher training can be in the form of lectures, workshops or courses, depending on the desired level of instruction. These will have a theoretical-practical structure involving active participation from all the educators.
In the talks for parents we place special emphasis on how to apply novel and simple strategies in daily life with the family, which will benefit the child as they grow up in the home environment.
The workshops for children are mainly hands on and if possible, outdoors in contact with nature. They are interactive and fun and use resources that have been specially designed for developing a variety of skills.
Because the current educational system is not achieving the basic expected levels of learning amongst a large percentage of students. It is also far from meeting the needs of the teacher or the child fully, or the needs of the planet Earth as our only home with limited resources. The future depends on how we educate our children and on the changes which we implement today.
A Conscious Education seeks to improve the quality of education, promote transformational teaching methods and restore an appreciation of the roles of parents and teachers.
Our ethos is inspired by the Montessori Method, by philosophical principles promoted by the Education Renaissance Trust (a UK registered charity), and by nature-based educational systems such as Forest Schools (U.K.), Bosquescuelas (Spain/Germany) and Sharing Nature (U.S.A.). We have chosen these sources after much investigation, professional experience and training carried out in Argentina, England, Chile and Spain.
It has been scientifically proven that many of the practices promoted by these methods increase, among other things, attention span and concentration levels, creativity, the experience of happiness and peace, health, vital energy, the development of intelligence and executive functions, empathy, cooperation, social skills and meaningful learning.
With the development and implementation of this programme we hope to:
- equip parents and teachers with simple tools and principles to implement in their homes and schools, allowing us to work together towards a Conscious Education.
- help adults to have more wellbeing and enthusiasm, a better bond with the children and less stress.
- encourage children to be respectful, happy and attentive, to love learning and to connect with nature. To be at peace with themselves and with others.
Our programme directly and indirectly fulfills some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the UN in the 2030 Agenda and the learning aims proposed by their Education department. This programme addresses the following SDGs: Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life On Land (SDG 15) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).
Our aim is to make this programme accessible to all educational communities, formal or informal and regardless of the economic status or background of their members. It is for educators, parents and children of nursery and primary levels in Argentina and Latin America.
When an institution contacts us we discuss their particular interests and coordinate a visit to offer them the four hour Introductory Workshop and subsequently a tailor-made training package which fits their specific needs and availability.
We aim to travel to wherever there is an educational community that is interested in A Conscious Education! Although based in Argentina we hope to include visits to neighbouring countries. We also run workshops and retreats for children and adults in the headquarters of the EFP Foundation in Buenos Aires.
This will depend on the package that we build for each organisation, according to their needs. Thanks to the Education Renaissance Trust, we have some grants available to offer to schools without funds this year.
Neda, nature lover and playful investigator, received a conscious education in London, including meditation and lots of music! Masters in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University, with training as a naturalist in Argentina and abroad. She conducts workshops on singing, music, Sanskrit, English, practical philosophy, geometry, mathematics and ecology. She loves microscopy and the beauty of nature, doing conservation volunteering in jungles and on coral reefs, meeting and interacting with people from all over the world, making music, building, gardening and designing.
Luciana, seeker after more conscious and natural ways of living. She is especially passionate about educating the little ones and helping them to discover their true potential. She loves sharing her passion about a Conscious Education through talks and workshops. Her professional training includes a degree in educational psychology and qualifications as a primary school teacher in Argentina, Montessori Method Guide in Chile and A Spirited Education with the Education Renaissance Trust in England. She enjoys being in nature, travelling and meeting people and other cultures, cooking, doing yoga, art and working with her hands.
The Fundación Escuela de Filosofía Práctica is a registered foundation in Argentina which offers courses, workshops and retreats based on the wisdom of philosophical traditions about the nature of the human being. The aim is to apply this knowledge in order to live a fuller, more conscious and happy life.
The Conscious Education programme is based on the same principles, applied especially to the education of young children, their parents and their teachers.
Would you like to contribute to making the world a better place? Support the programme financially. Become a conscious sponsor!!
With your donation you will be making it possible for children from schools with very scanty resources in Latin America to have access to A Conscious Education through teacher training sessions and workshops for parents and children. These present a holistic view of the human being and provide tools for attending to our physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs in a direct and practical way.
Below you can see a couple of short videos of the workshops we ran during recent educational tours.
A Conscious Education in Cordoba, October-November 2021
A Conscious Education tour of Patagonia, February-April 2021
If you live in South America you can use this Paypal button to make a one-off donation or set up a direct debit to support the programme:
If you live outside of South America you can donate to our programme via the UK-based charity The Education Renaissance Trust (ERT - registered charity no. 1062470/0). Please include a reference to UEC-Argentina and send us a copy of proof of payment.
Option 1: for large amounts please contact us for the account details to make a one-off bank transfer.
Option 2: to make regular payments please complete and send us this standing order form. (UK taxpayers can claim Gift Aid.)
Option 3: to use Paypal please use this donate button:
We thank you very much for your donation.
We will keep you up to date with news about the impact of the programme in schools and transmit feedback about the experiences of people who have participated in the training sessions and workshops. Thank you for becoming a part of A Conscious Education and for helping us to share and spread this wonderful programme so that more children in Argentina and Latin America can benefit from a more conscious education.
