Montessori Activities

Montessori Activities

One of the methods we incorporate into our daily program and has proved extremely successful is the ‘Montessori’ activities.

Maria Montessori said, “free the child’s potential and you transform him into the world”.

We as educators, allow the children to choose activities that they are drawn to work on at their own pace which gives them independence and they build life long skills to achieve tasks that they choose.The classroom is ‘open-plan’ with the learning materials arranged in areas and the children are given freedom to move around and to choose the activities that interest them. For the most part the materials themselves are self-correcting and this gives the children a sense of empowerment and helps them to become independent learners. This type of classroom is different from the traditional adult-centered classrooms where children often participate passively, as teachers endeavour to impart knowledge and skills to be learned. The indoor environment is arranged in Montessori areas for the babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Montessori education is a unique approach to the education of preschoolers. It was first developed by an Italian lady doctor and psychologist who had a deep understanding of the physical and mental development process of children. It is based on proven scientific principles and is currently successfully used in over 100 countries worldwide.

The Montessori method is particularly noted for taking the whole child into consideration. It provides a stimulating environment, which is both challenging as well as non – threatening for the young child. It promotes child learning on a variety of planes – language, mathematics, art, culture and practical life.

Our preschool keeps in touch to exchange advances in child learning and education. A continuing stream of research and publications on the Montessori method ensure that it remains responsive to the changing demands of the modern day environment.

Some of the specific methods used by our Pre-school is to address the basics of Pre-school education as follows:

Practical Life Tasks

Children are given opportunities to address daily tasks with independence, coordination and concentration.

Language

Development is encouraged through conversation, listening, story telling and drama.

Reading and writing

Usually occur spontaneously and are guided and supported through individual tutoring.

Mathematical Learning

Takes place through the use of specially designed materials and equipment which promote the sensorial exploration of concepts related to numerals, the decimal system, physical dimensions and time.

Social Skills

Are promoted through mixed group activities which are both task—oriented as well as play based.

Art and Culture

Related learning is supported by experiences in music, dancing, poetry, artwork, stories, pictures and organised outings.