Providing a caring and stimulating environment for children from 2 to 4 years.
What is the Montessori Method?
Montessori is an educational approach, developed by Italian Physician and educator Maria Montessori. This method has been implemented worldwide since 1906 and has proven to be a success; its effectiveness is demonstrated by children from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Montessori is a philosophy, a set of values and a way of thinking which provides an approach to life based on respect and trust.
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Montessori is about understanding that young children are driven to become independent and take part in daily activities that may be taken for granted. Dr. Maria Montessori firmly believed the first six years of a child's life are the most critical in terms of processing information and physical development. It is during this time that a child's powers of absorption are the highest, and attitudes and learning patterns are formed. As Montessori practitioners we have studied the work of Dr. Montessori and can apply the theory behind the method in all areas of the prepared environment.
The Montessori Materials
Montessori material is a general name for the teaching aids and activities within the classroom, which include a combination of specific Montessori apparatus and teacher made materials. Montessori designed her didactic apparatus by observing children, realising that they need the comfort of using things their own size. The Montessori apparatus is introduced to children as they become ready for the 'next step' in their learning process. All activities are presented on a 1:1 basis.
The Montessori Child
Children have an innate curiosity which leads them to explore the world around them. The Montessori environment enables children to investigate their surroundings through a sensorial approach, affording them the opportunity to learn at their own pace where experiences are exciting, fun and where free choice to activities is available. Children become independent thinkers and fathom problem solving by attempting things and becoming successful, this builds and develops positive attitudes to life and its challenges. Respect for oneself, each other and the environment is encouraged, enabling children to use grace and courtesy skills and handle materials carefully. Children raised in this way learn to think of the world as an exciting place full of possibilities. They begin to know themselves as powerful people who can do all sorts of things for themselves.
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The key components to the Montessori Method are the environment and the exercises. Montessori saw that children learn best by ‘doing’ and she created specially designed resources to foster independence and a love for learning from a young age. The Montessori approach is holistic and aims to develop the whole child. The environment is ordered and structured to assist the child in knowing that everything has a place. The Montessori Method allows each child to develop at his/her own pace in a well-equipped and supportive environment that enables all children to progress individually, building on their strengths. Children establish an enormous surge of self-esteem in being given the opportunity to ‘do it myself’.
Did you know these famous people were Montessori Educated?
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Larry Page and Sergey Brin - Founders of the ‘Google’ search engine
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Jeff Bezos - Founder of Amazon.com
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Jimmy Wales - Founder of Wikipedia
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George Clooney - Academy Award-Winning actor
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Gabriel Garcia Marquez - Noble prize winner for Literature
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Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince George
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Practical Life exercises
The Montessori exercises of ‘Practical Life’ form a bridge between home and nursery. The children learn to look after themselves, to help others and to take care of their environment. The children do measuring, transferring, polishing, sweeping, dressing frames and threading – these exercises develop concentration, co-ordination, self-sufficiency and a care of the child’s own environment.
Communication, Language and Literacy
The children are encouraged to communicate effectively, with adults and other children, in a variety of individual, small and large group situations. They are helped to extend their vocabulary through stories, rhymes, songs, role play and the use of the Montessori materials. Books, both fiction and reference, are freely available for the children to explore and at the appropriate time in their development they are taught the letters of the alphabet using Montessori’s unique sandpaper letters.
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The full range of Montessori Language materials are available to enable the children to develop their word building skills in readiness for reading. The children learn to write their own name.
Mathematics
Using the Montessori sensorial and mathematical materials, the children are helped to develop a true understanding of the concepts of shape, size and number. They learn to sort, match, order, sequence, count and recognise numbers. Following their individual curriculum, children learn simple rules of mathematical operation eg. addition and subtraction. Early weighing and measuring activities are also enjoyed. We encourage children to ‘think’ about numbers throughout the nursery.
Physical Development
The children develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own body skills. They move around both rooms freely and learn to control their own movements as they carry materials and respect other children’s work. The Practical Life activities also encourages the development and refinement of large and fine motor skills in preparation for using pens, pencils and other tools and materials. We have a large outside secure play area and use of the main hall upstairs each morning. Our children are given the opportunity to practice balancing, throwing, catching, climbing and jumping. We sing lots of action songs and have regular ‘music and movement’ sessions.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
The Montessori curriculum has always encouraged exploration, tolerance and understanding of the world. Children have a natural concern for living things and delight in looking after plants and animals. We do lots of planting and growing. We have a wide variety of pictures, puzzles and books to stimulate the children’s interest and help organise their sensorial impressions of the world around them. The Montessori globe gives a clear introduction to the continents and the corresponding pictures of families, their homes and animals help to foster knowledge, acceptance and tolerance at an early age. Technical understanding is developed through the use of a wide range of materials, information technology and computing and a variety of construction toys. The children are also encouraged to explore simple science such as; magnetism, light, magnification, water and sand.
Sensorial Materials
Sensorial materials are introduced to help refine the senses and each piece of equipment contains one isolated quality such as size, colour, sound, smell and texture. The materials help the children recognise differences and similarities, enabling them to have a clear understanding of impressions. As shapes define the characteristics of all written letters and numerals, geometric shapes are introduced at an early age to help with shape recognition and further extend vocabulary.
Creative Development
We encourage the children to develop their artistic abilities using the full range of artistic
and craft materials.
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Art work – Creating pictures, collages and models and using cutting, folding, painting
and sticking.
Drama – Using puppets, songs, rhymes and stories.
Music – Instruments, taped music and singing.
Play – Using sand, water, play dough, clay, toys and role play.
Story telling – Verbally and using pictures and words.
