Programs

The Montessori Way

Literacy / language

“To talk is the nature of man”- Maria Montessori

Indirect preparation for writing begins when the child enters the class, we have a print rich environment; every area and presentation is labelled, life skulls area develops fine motor required for writing. We encourage conversation using correct words group discussions on themes and activities gives the child confidence in speaking. Language lessons are presented to the child individually. Our language environment is compatible to meet the needs of all children, including those with special needs and barriers to learning.

Numeracy

“Man’s mind is mathematical by nature and knowledge and progress can only come from accurate observation.” – Pascal

For a child to be ready for maths he has to develop conservation of movement and one to one correspondence. Montessori maths is an open maths system each area of learning supports the development of these concepts. Before the child is introduced formally to numeracy he/she has already been exposed to these concrete concepts.

Maths is presented in a very logical sequence from simple to difficult; the child masters one concept before moving on to the next lesson. Concrete learning is done first then the abstract then both are brought together. Each child progresses according to his/her own capability.

Culture

Cultural studies is often mistaken for religion. It actually encompasses he study of history, geography, and science. The study of people and place, their similarities and differences , their achievements and concerns. Time lines of the current theme .The understanding of the natural order of life and our responsibilities as care takers of the world. Hands on experiments are conducted e.g. sink and float, the water cycle etc. the child develops a responsibility towards his environment and the world he lives in.

“Our aim is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inner most core.” Maria Montessori

Sensorial

The sensorial programme helps develop the visual, tactile, baric, thermic, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, and stereognostic senses.

These activities are preliminary to maths; most of the material are in sets of ten and are three dimensional. The activities develop the child’s senses, putting into visually and muscular memory shapes, size, length, patterns, order. Constructive triangles teach shape, division, fraction and helps the child to develop a mathematical mind. The hands being the instrument of the mind

“A man is not what he is because of the teachers he has had, but because of what he has done.”

Art and Crafts

Children love making things on their own but are seldom given this opportunity, especially in the home environment. Adults are always in a hurry or afraid the child may hurt himself or damage something. At our school every child is given the opportunity to fulfil this need. Arts and crafts include baking, sewing, painting, drawing, cutting and pasting and making interesting items that also help to develop fine and gross motor skills, hand eye co-ordination, concentration, independence, increases the child’s vocabulary and knowledge of following a recipe, measuring, and order of steps required and most importantly the satisfaction of ‘making with my own hands.’

“Help me do it alone.” “The child needs freedom within limits.” “No one can be free if he is not independent….” – Maria Montessori

Life Skills

These exercises help the child gain control in the co-ordination of his movement, to be independent, adopt good habits and adapt to society, they also help develop the child’s intellect and concentration which consequently helps in an orderly way of thinking. Life skills when taught early in life allow children to believe in themselves, developing self-discipline needed for success throughout their lives. Our life skills shelf is home away from home, the new child begins his learning here. The activities are familiar to what he sees at home; all utensils are real and child size.

Life skills is broken into four areas of learning;

Grace and courtesy; socially accepted behaviours like greeting, waiting your turn, please and thank you, interrupting someone who is busy.
Elementary ; these are simple everyday activities like spooning, pouring, threading etc.
Care of self; teaches the child to care for himself. Washing hands, blowing nose, dressing up, and tying shoe laces.
Care of the environment; gives the child a sense of responsibility for the environment he is exposed to which include sweeping, polishing, watering the plants, returning activities to where they belong.