The Montessori Environment

Practical Life

Montessori children acquire life skills through practical activities such as maintaining personal hygiene, caring for the environment, pouring, ordering, sewing, cleaning, etc. These actions will develop self-confidence and promote all the skills needed to succeed in more conventional academic subjects such as math and writing.

Sensorial Activities

Children become more aware of their surroundings when they engage in sensorial activities. They may gain a deeper understanding of the world around them if they use all their senses (e.g. vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell).

Abstract ideas become concrete through sensory activities. For instance, working with magnetic and non-magnetic items or handling various 3-D geometric shapes frequently will enable children to better comprehend higher-level academic concepts. 

Math

In the early stages of the program, students will be introduced to the concept of numbers through rhymes, songs, poems and activities. When the children develop a firm understanding of how words relate to the concept of numbers, the guide will help them to better understand math symbols, qualities, sets, math functions and more through concrete activities.

Geography

With discussions, maps, verbal presentations, pictures, sensory experiences and memory exercises children will become familiar with different cultures, languages and spiritual beliefs around the world. In a practical sense, children will also explore a variety of fauna, flora and landforms.

Language

Children in their early stages are encouraged to enrich their vocabulary and sentence development. With a strong emphasis on phonics, children are motivated to develop reading skills which enables them to construct words and translate those skills into writing.

Expression Activities

In addition to arts, crafts, and music, plant care is also part of our expression activities. Growing plants fosters a sense of commonality and builds environmentally responsible children. Plant life cycles are taught, along with where vegetables and fruits come from and what living things need to survive. In a classroom filled with materials, children are encouraged to create freely – and they certainly do! Music is emphasized through the use of instruments and songs to develop a sense of melody and rhythm.