Practical LifeThese words reveal the child's inner needs: "Help me to do it alone."
Sometimes very small children in a proper environment develop a skill and exactness in their work that can surprise us.
Practical Life activities are the first and most important step in your child’s education. Appealing tasks are offered to the child inviting him to focus his attention and control his movements. As he becomes absorbed in the work of learning to button, zip, tie, pour, prepare food, polish and clean, etc. his ability to concentrate increases, and he nourishes his inherent need for order and completion. Self-discipline emerges as a natural result of a desire to accomplish his task, and accomplishment builds confidence and a desire for further work. Social awareness is fostered as lessons of grace and courtesy are introduced and practiced in the classroom, and children are taught to respect and care for their environment and to return materials in good order for the next child to use.
Sensorial Aristotle said “There is nothing in the intellect which was not first experienced in the senses.” The sensorial materials are designed to allow your child to explore the concepts of size, length, width, color, pitch, shape, etc. Each material isolates the particular quality being taught so that the child is able to observe opposites, identities and gradations. Work with these materials helps her to refine her senses, and to compare, classify, organize, and verbalize her impressions, preparing her for abstract reasoning.
Language During the years from 0-6 the child can acquire language as at no other time in her life. Care is taken to give the correct name for everything in her environment, from the equipment she uses to the parts of an insect, to the names of the countries and continents. Stories and poetry bring her pleasure and a desire to read. She learns to break words into sounds and then recognize and write those sounds. She progresses from feeling and tracing sandpaper letters to forming words with the moveable alphabet, and finally to composing phrases, sentences and simple stories. A series of language games help her to recognize the functions of the different kinds of words, (nouns, verbs, adj., etc)
MathA sensorial or hands on approach is used to help the child discover mathematical relationships. Working with the number rods, spindle box, and counters the child progresses from an understanding of the numbers 0-10, to work with the colored and golden beads that give him a concrete experience with the decimal system and the four functions (+ - x ÷). The colored bead counting chains representing the square and the cube of each number 1-10 prepare him for multiplication and give him a sensorial impression of the 2nd and 3rd power of numbers. A unique set of math boards for each of the four functions gives the child further practice and helps him learn his math facts.
Culture This area encompasses geography, biology, geology, music, history and art. Colorful wooden puzzles of all the continents and the countries of the world, and land formations over which she pours water and learns of islands, peninsulas, etc. give her a visual, mental filing system—a place to put and relate information that would otherwise go unnoticed. She may choose to punch out, paste and label her own maps, and singing the names of the countries helps her to remember them. Dancing and walking on the line and the balance beam to the music of great composers helps her to enjoy beautiful music. The musical bells and rhythm instruments provide opportunities for experiencing rhythm and pitch. Stories and songs of children around the world and pictures of their countries spark interest in the outside world. Outside activities in the garden with Dr. Spilsbury and caring for the chickens and rabbit will create an interest in biology and a working vocabulary to describe and explore the wonders of nature.
Art
Your child’s own creative work is encouraged in every aspect of Montessori. It is the process and the enjoyment, not the end product that is important to the child. A variety of art materials are readily available for his use. Art appreciation is a total involvement. The child sees beauty in nature and in the materials of the prepared environment as well as in the paintings of the great masters in the classroom. Matching and classifying activities help him to become acquainted with their work.
In order for your child to receive the full benefit from a Montessori education, it is important that the parents and teachers work together. It is most helpful for the parents to become knowledgeable about the Montessori method and philosophy by attending parent education meetings when scheduled and by reading at least one of Dr. Montessori’s books. Parents are encouraged to schedule at least one or two visits to the classroom during the year to share a talent or something of interest and to observe your child’s work and play.
To complete the curriculum and the progression through the materials, it is recommended that the child remain in the program from age three through the kindergarten year. The child achieves the concentration and maturity level for many of the lessons for which he has been laying the foundation during his sixth year. The very essence of the Montessori method during the “absorbent mind” years (3-6) is to allow the child to choose his own work, progress at his own pace and discover concepts according to his interest and ability in a calm unhurried atmosphere.
In order for your child to receive the full benefit from a Montessori education, it is important that the parents and teachers work together. It is most helpful for the parents to become knowledgeable about the Montessori method and philosophy by attending parent education meetings when scheduled and by reading at least one of Dr. Montessori’s books. Parents are encouraged to schedule at least one or two visits to the classroom during the year to share a talent or something of interest and to observe your child’s work and play.
To complete the curriculum and the progression through the materials, it is recommended that the child remain in the program from age three through the kindergarten year. The child achieves the concentration and maturity level for many of the lessons for which he has been laying the foundation during his sixth year. The very essence of the Montessori method during the “absorbent mind” years (3-6) is to allow the child to choose his own work, progress at his own pace and discover concepts according to his interest and ability in a calm unhurried atmosphere.
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