Montessori System
Montessori method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori during the 19th century in Europe. It is a child-centered educational approach based on the scientific observations of children. Montessori system of education believes in the mixed-age classrooms called an Environment for children between the ages 3 to 6 years. Vertical grouping has a lot of advantages like peer learning, interaction, socialization, inspiration and motivation in the Environment.
The children have the freedom to choose the activity from a prescribed
range of options. Children under the age of 6 have an innate path of
psychological development. Based on the observations of Dr. Montessori,
it is believed that the children who are at liberty to choose and act
freely within an environment prepared accordingly act spontaneously for
optimal development.
The Montessori method is characterized by
providing a prepared Environment that is spacious, open, tidy, pleasing
in appearance, simple and real, where each element exists for a reason.
The Environment is proportional to the child’s height and size, where
children can sit individually or in groups.
Curriculum:
Exercises of Practical Life
Practical Life activities help the children to function in their own environment and find their place in their world and culture. These activities help them become more independent which in turn leads to greater self-confidence. The purpose of these activities is to enhance concentration, coordination and independence enabling them to master other areas. Activities include pouring, learning lessons of grace and courtesy, watering plants, offering, etc. Children love this area as it enables them to experience all the activities in a child size environment
Sensorial
Sensorial area expose the children to learn through their senses and promotes the development and refinement of the five senses. Dr. Maria Montessori said “What the hand does, the mind remembers”. The materials are built to meet the child’s needs to clarify and classify because they are systematic, logical and sequential. Sensorial area gives an introduction to Mathematics using the Decimal System. Activities include Cylinder blocks, Pink tower, Touch boards, Sound boxes, etc.
Language
The Montessori Language program is a complete literacy program. The
Language program is phonetic and children learn by identifying the
sounds and associating them with the words or pictures. Phonics method
is very effective as the children learn through listening to each sound.
Children learn in the sequence of Listening, Speaking, Reading and
Writing. Montessori follows this pattern to enhance the child’s ability
to learn language. Sensorial area prepare the child for the Language
program like enhancing the fine motor movements enabling pencil grip in
children. Activities include sound games, tracing letters, Sight words,
Grammar, etc. Children also involve in story-telling, songs and music
improving their ability to communicate and comprehend better.
Sensorial
Sensorial area expose the children to learn through their senses and promotes the development and refinement of the five senses. Dr. Maria Montessori said “What the hand does, the mind remembers”. The materials are built to meet the child’s needs to clarify and classify because they are systematic, logical and sequential. Sensorial area gives an introduction to Mathematics using the Decimal System. Activities include Cylinder blocks, Pink tower, Touch boards, Sound boxes, etc.
Culture
The Montessori Culture program includes introduction to Science,
Geography, Music and Art. It provides an introduction to the physical
world that surrounds them. Children learn about different people,
animals, plants and the cultures of the world. It includes a variety of
activities like introduction to the uniqueness of plants, animals,
continents, oceans, countries of the world, etc. They work with
materials such as puzzles, maps, continent globes, life cycles of plants
and a few animals, germination, etc.
