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The Montessori Method of Education is a unique approach to "learning" rather than "teaching" a child concepts, an environment is designed to stimulate the child's interest and facilitate understanding. The children learn as work is done independently with the many materials in the environment. The Montessori educator is not only interested in accelerating mental growth, but in helping each child fulfill his/her human potential.
Each child follows his/her own inner time clock for development. Montessori education stresses concepts learned spontaneously, as children work independently with materials in a prepared environment.
A Primary Montessori classroom is divided into five basic areas:
PRACTICAL LIFE
- Develop a sense of order
- Develop ability to concentrate
- Refine coordination
- Increase independence and self-confidence
- Promote the self-esteem of the child
- Daily living skills
SENSORIAL
- Sensory discrimination
- Refine his/her senses: visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, and tactile
- Recognition that all senses are used in the process of discovery and learning
- The materials isolate and refine a single sense as well as assist in the development of vocabulary
- Pattern recognition and problem solving
MATHEMATICS
- Experience quantity concretely
- Number recognition
- Concept of place value
- Mathematical operations
- Use of Montessori materials to move from concrete to abstract
- Use of visual and tactile senses in the learning process
LANGUAGE
- Left to right eye movement
COORDINATION
- Phonetic introduction to letters, using visual, auditory, and tactile senses
- Blending sound to form simple phonetic words, then more complex words
- Increase vocabulary
- Creative writing
- Self-expression
CULTURAL SUBJECTS
- Encourage an appreciation for the world around us
- Introduction to the wonders of nature and elements of other cultures
- Develop a respect for all living things and an understanding of their needs
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