Learning Curves Montessori Redwood

On Thursday we had lots of tamariki at home with their older siblings, so we took the opportunity to get out and about in our community.
We went to Redwood Primary and our tamariki had the best time challenging their gross motor skills and being adventurous on the playground! So many places to climb and balance. We were lucky enough to even be able to see a marching team practicing for the competition, which sparked lots of questions from those who curiously observed.

Did you know that we have a HUGE, amazing natural play space? Real grass, lots of greenery and space to run and play! Come see it for yourself, spaces on all our days at the moment! Free hours for ages 2-6, (10 hours for 2years, 30 hours for 3-6) conditions apply.

Our tamariki have been very interested in the life cycle of a butterfly! What started out with an interest in insects from a bee found in the playground, has grown exponentially and we have been watching our own caterpillar eat lots of leaves and get bigger and bigger - just like the story!

Did you know we are conveniently located at 316 Main North Road in Redwood, opposite Sturrocks Road.
Have you noticed us on your way past before?
We are a lovely small centre, only licensed for 25 children and with a huge natural play space out the back!

Kia ora everyone,
Our page has been pretty quiet for a while but we're keen to get it back up and running and show you what our lovely little Montessori preschool is all about!
I'd love to know how you found our page? Are you a parent - current or former? Maybe we popped up in your feed and you're thinking about coming for a look around? Let me know!

Because of the focus on individual work, many people wonder if Montessori will provide their child with enough social experience.🤔 Social development is an important part of Montessori. Children experience social interaction through:
❇️Circle time
❇️Mentoring and learning from children of different ages
❇️Learning grace and courtesy skills
❇️Learning to manage conflict independently
❇️Volunteer opportunities
The Montessori approach encourages character development, peace and cooperation.🕊️ ❓What are some other ways that Montessori supports socialization?

Maria Montessori observed that children were intrinsically motivated to seek independence. ✨ When adults rush in to help, this disrupts the child’s concentration and causes them to be dependent and less likely to try things on their own. 😔 How can the adult nurture independence?
❇️Leave enough time for the child to accomplish the task
❇️Avoid helping the child with something you know he or she could do
❇️Invite the child to help you with tasks
❇️Have predictable routines
❓What are your tips for nurturing independence?

In our Montessori environment we introduce children to letters and numbers using the sandpaper letters/numbers. These are multi-sensorial materials using visual, touch and auditory senses. Children then make sense of the information and by the combination of the information from each sense.
At our Montessori centre we use the phonetic sound and lower case letters to introduce letters to our tamariki giving them the best possible start on their literacy journey.
Dr Maria Montessori was ahead of her time, recognising the importance of the senses and phonetic sounds in order to promote literacy. In March this year UNICEF reported the "dire state" of literacy in Aotearoa with NZ primary schools just beginning to recognise the importance of teaching the phonetic sound of letters and words which is leading to improved spelling, writing and reading.

The Sandpaper Letters are an amazing multi-sensorial Montessori material that prepares children for writing. The child’s first impression of the letters is visual, when she sees their shapes. This is reinforced through the sense of touch. The tactile work of repeatedly tracing the letters, which are made of sandpaper, gives the child a muscular memory of the letters’ shapes. She also gets an auditory impression of the letters as the Montessori teacher says the sound of the letter (not the letter’s name), and the child repeats the sound. This helps the child make a connection between the letters’ forms and their sounds. This multi-sensorial approach introduces the child to the idea language can be spoken, heard, and seen.

Maria Montessori noticed that small children need to touch and move items to learn. 🤏 The Montessori environment provides hands-on experiences that activate the child’s interest. 💡 Some of the ways that children learn through doing are:
⭐Practical life: ⭐ The activities of daily life
⭐Sensorial materials: ⭐ Materials that engage the five senses
⭐Language: ⭐ Learning the sounds of the alphabet and preparing to write through touching, tracing and strengthening the hand
⭐Math: ⭐ Hands-on learning materials that provide a concrete representation of mathematical concepts
❓What are your favorite hands-on Montessori materials?

Why does Montessori put so much emphasis on a simple activity like pouring water? 🚰 When you look closer, you’ll see that pouring water is not that simple and has many benefits for the child. Pouring water
⭐Requires multiple steps which develops concentration
⭐Allows students to pour their own water which enables independence
⭐Develops the ability to pour without spilling which requires coordination
⭐Teaches students to estimate the amount of water to pour to fill the cup which develops the mathematical mind
⭐Develops small muscle control which will assist in writing
❓Why do you think Montessori’s water pouring activities are important?