THE MONTESSORI CURRICULUM
Scientifically formulated & Child Centred
The Montessori Method of education is based on Doctor Maria Montessori’s (1870-1952) scientific observations about how children learn as they progress from birth to adulthood. Montessori’s research into child development, and subsequent findings about how to create the optimal learning environment, came to form the foundations of the ‘Montessori Method’. Essential to the Montessori Method, is the Montessori Curriculum, which is a child-centred learning framework that incorporates holistic learning outcomes tailored to each individual child’s developmental needs and interests.
PRACTICAL LIFE
Infant/Toddler
Practical life activities link the home environment to the school environment and develop everyday life skills through real and purposeful work. Practical life lessons are interesting to the child, who takes pride in meaningful work, contributing to the development of meeting her own needs and the needs of the community. These lessons are designed to meet developmental goals for the child such as refining fine motor skills, helping gain greater control over movements, fostering a sense of order, building concentration, and promoting independence.
Practical life exercises include learning:
HOW TO CARE FOR ONE'S SELF
• Dressing / undressing
• Preparing a snack
• Pouring water
• Practicing with utensils
• Practicing independent use of the toilet
HOW TO CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
• Sweeping
• Mopping
• Setting a table
• Flower arranging • Folding fabric
HOW TO PRACTICE POLITE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, KNOWN AS GRACE AND COURTESY LESSONS
• How to appropriately get someone’s attention
• How to let someone know how you are feeling
• How to ask for help
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Children's House
Practical life activities continue to build on the home-school continuum, as the child develops everyday life skills through real and purposeful work. These activities form the foundation for all other work in the environment. The goals of practical life lessons are to promote the development of a child’s concentration, coordination, independence, and sense of order.
Practical life activities further aid in a child’s development of logical thought, ability to sequence and explore spatial relationships, and promote cultural awareness and adaptation. Practical life exercises are indirectly preparing children for later exercises in reading and writing.
Practical life exercises include an learning an advanced level of all that was learned in the infant toddler class as well as the following :
HOW TO CARE FOR ONE'S SELF
• Dressing / undressing • Hand washing
• Food preparation
• Sewing
HOW TO CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
• Table scrubbing
• Polishing
• Dusting
• Flower arranging • Dish washing
HOW TO PRACTICE POLITE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, KNOWN AS GRACE AND COURTESY LESSONS
• How to greet someone
• How to ask for help
• How to ask to join in a game
• How to problem-solve and form positive social interactions