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The youngest children begin in the daily living area of the classroom. Here exercises such as
polishing silver, washing dishes and tying bows increase both attention span and concentration.
Additionally, these exercises develop both fine and motor coordination and enable each child to
experience satisfaction over mastery of the exercise and completion of a task.
A child learns through his or her senses. By providing interrelated sensorial material, children are guided
through a series of exercises involving discrimination. Initially, the comparisons are great but gradually they
become more subtle. The pink tower blocks (above) simulation presents the child with two sets of blocks to choose from.
One of the sets has the child stack the blocks from largest to smallest centering them. The other exercise
involves stacking the blocks to one corner to demonstrate that there is a consistent size
difference between them. These exercises help the child to develop visual discrimination skills
using an incremental difference in the size of the blocks.
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The Montessori prepared environment expands the vocabulary and provides order, exactness and self confidence
for the child. The child uses sandpaper letters to form phonetic sounds, then uses the movable alphabet
to compose words. Each student progresses to writing, then spelling. Reading work begins with the synthesis of
sounds to form words and progresses to grammar work which is the fruition of work in the Primary Class.
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The Montessori environment prepares the child for mathematics through exactness and
order in Practical Life, Sensorial, and Language work. The child begins with 1-10 work, learning the quantity and symbol - each
in isolation - then together.
Progression to the decimal system occurs easily because of the young
child's enthusiasm for large numbers like 9999. The child continues through the formal process of
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in the Primary Class.
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Montessori's method has its base in scientific observation. Observation and classification of plants
and animals leads naturally to understanding the world through its environment. Briefly stated, Montessori's main
science objectives include: development of an intelligent interest and an appreciation of the natural and
physical world; development of a scientific attitude; helping the child acquire a scientific method of problem
solving; and helping the child acquire a useful knowledge of scientific principles.
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A series of globes assist the children in distinguishing land
and water areas, progressing to the continents and lands that make
up our world. Studies of land forms provide an understanding of
the geographic features that distinguish each country.
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A variety of media is available to encourage self-expression. Beginning with
primary colors, the child explores secondary and tertiary
colors and then hues. Historical paintings are used to give the child an
appreciation of art. Individual and group projects are encouraged.
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The child is introduced to the computer by a series of fun, educational games. As he
progresses, he uses the computer to reinforce other parts of the curriculum through
interactive drills.
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Through participation in field trips and outside activities, children have frequent opportunities to experience and learn about nature. We also encourage parents to
help their children discover the world outside the classroom. Exploring nature helps children to see themselves as part of the world. When
children have experiences in nature, academic subjects such as science, geography, and mathematics become more real. Children
need both indoor and outdoor activities to become healthy, capable individuals.
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