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| Montessori Curriculum |
The Montessori Philosophy
The Montessori philosophy is based on the principle that all children are intrinsically motivated to learn and possess an “absorbent mind”. They absorb knowledge without effort from their immediate environment, when provided with the right kind of activities at the right time in their development. A very high level of learning – both conscious and unconscious - can come with ease to all children.
Our Montessori classroom is a “living room for all children”. Everything in our classroom has a specific use or purpose. All of the furniture and equipment is scaled down to the child’s size and is within easy reach.
Children choose their work from among the self correcting materials displayed on the open shelves, and they work in specific work areas. The intrinsic flexibility of the Montessori method allows a child to learn and progress at his or her own rate of speed, which means that a child of advanced ability can develop intellectually well above grade level whilst remaining within his or her peer group.
Our Montessori directresses are trained facilitators within the classroom environment. Always ready to assist and direct. Their purpose is to stimulate the child’s enthusiasm for learning and to guide without interfering with the children’s natural desire to teach them.
Montessori Materials
Montessori materials help children to explore and master their environment through activities which aid and the development of the whole personality.
In the Montessori Classroom five distinct areas constitute the prepared environment:
Practical Life
Learning the Skills of Daily Living
The practical life area provides the link between home and school. In this area the child is able to perform the same activities he or she has seen within the home environment. The carefully selected materials enhance the development of task organisation and cognitive order through the care of self, care of the environment, exercises of grace and courtesy, and coordination of physical movement.
Sensorial
Exploration of the Senses
In the sensorial area of the Montessori classroom, children develop and internalise concepts of quantity, similarity, mass, colour, shape and sound. The didactic materials are specially designed to strengthen the child’s ability to recognise patterns. This provides a natural progression to language, mathematics and music.
Mathematics
Concrete to Abstract
The Montessori mathematics materials allow young children to begin their mathematical journey from the concrete to the abstract through manipulation, experimentation and invention. The child is able to internalise math skills such as number, symbol, sequence, operations and memorisation of basic math facts. They soon develop a thrill of discovery when using these materials, enabling them to perform mathematical operations for themselves.
Language
From Spoken to Written
The Montessori classroom emphasises and encourages spoken language as the foundation for linguistic expression. The child hears, learns and uses specific vocabulary in all activities in their immediate environment; this includes oral language development, written expression, reading, and the study of grammar, creative dramatics, and children’s literature. Basic skills in writing and reading are developed through the use of sandpaper letters, alphabet games, and various presentations allowing children to link sounds and letter symbols effortlessly, and to express individual thoughts through writing, thus developing clear and articulate expression
Culture
Our World
Montessori cultural activities introduce the child to basics in geography, history and world cultures. Our unique Multi cultural school community provides an environment in which these topics come alive. Music, art, cookery and movement form part of our integrated cultural curriculum.
Additional activities
Creativity
We provide a stimulating environment in which creativity originality and expressiveness are valued. We strongly believe that creativity should come from within. Our children have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of art mediums such as clay charcoal pastels printing and collage. Other times, children will be presented mediums such as weaving, construction and woodwork. |
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