Principles of the Montessori Approach
* Every child is a unique person with creative potential, the drive to learn and the right to be treated with respect as an individual.
* As children are profoundly affected by society and their immediate surroundings, we create an environment in harmony with the child's natural development.
* Children must be given freedom to work and move around, within guidelines that enable them to see themselves as both independent and part of a group.
* Montessori materials help children to explore and master their environment through activities which aid the development of the whole personality.
* Children are encouraged to work at their own pace, either individually or in co-operation with others.
* Children are carefully observed on a regular basis, both individually and as a
group, to assist their full development. Areas of Learning;
Freedom
The child moves freely around a Montessori classroom talking to other children, working with any equipment he chooses or asking the teacher to introduce a new material. Practical life activities help tem to perfect the skills they need
in daily life. Whilst learning essential life skills, the children are also developing hand-eye co-ordination and the
capacity to focus their attention for an activity. Successful completion of such tasks give children a real sense of their own achievement, and this builds their self-confidence. Social Awareness;
Through freedom and movement and Montessori exercises for the care of the environment, care of self and development of social skills, the child is helped towards social awareness. Sensorial Exploration;
Children are aware of a world, constantly exploring it and taking in impressions through all their senses. The sensorial materials encourage children to order and classify the physical properties of the world they live in. These activities stimulate and develop the senses, refining children's powers of observation, perception, exploration and communication. Natural Environment
Experience of the natural environment helps the child achieve harmony with it. The child should grow up close to nature. Mathematics;
Montessori Mathematics materials enable even a very young child to achieve a natural appreciation of mathematical concepts through his or her own efforts. This avoids the mental blocks which so often occur in children faced with purely abstract concepts. Specially designed equipment helps children to grasp concrete ideas along with the sensory experience of numbers, quantities and mathematical operations. Gradually children can move confidently to complete abstract mathematical problems. Beauty;
The environment should be aesthetically pleasing and simple to the eye. Language Materials;
Help the child develop the language skills which are listening, speaking, reading and writing. First through the sand paper letters, the child learns both the sounds and shapes of the letters. Then he listens for the sounds in words and begins to build them using the Montessori movable alphabet. The phonic approach is used in the Montessori method. The child is taught to read after careful preparation and when he shows he is ready, he succeeds and finds reading an enjoyable activity. Furthermore, while the child is absorbing his own language in the Montessori method, he is exposed to games and activities which introduce him to the correct use of grammar. This approach helps lay sound foundation for the future. Cultural Exploration of the World Around;
The Montessori approach covers a wide range of subjects which reflect the broad interests of young children. The Montessori environment stimulates these interests and extends knowledge and understanding of art and crafts, geography, history, music, science and the natural world. Cultures from around the world are explored and celebrated.
