STREATHAM MONTESSORI NURSERY & DAY CARE

 

The Purpose of Montessori Education

Dr Maria Montessori believed that no human being is educated by another person. He must do it himself or it will never be done. A young childs experience could be enriched by a classroom where, he could handle materials which would demonstrate basic educational information to him. In a Montessori classroom the equipment invites him to do this at his own periods of interest and readiness helping the child to reach his full potential. It is in the formative years that the foundation stone is constructed on which the adult human personality will be based.

A Montessori classroom has a carefully prepared environment with activity centres devoted to practical life exercises, sensorial material and Academic materials, all of which the children are able to absorb through their inquiring mind and freedom to explore.
 

CURRICULUM

Practical Life Exercises

A series of exercises designed to help the child reach a stage of independence and confidence through meaningful activity using familiar objects. These exercises help the child to perfect his co-ordination and concentration and to acquire good working habits. They also help to encourage the care of oneself and environment and to attain Social grace and courtesy.

 

Sensorial Education

As a young child meets the world around him through the constant use of all his senses, these materials help the child to refine the senses and enables him/her to understand the many impressions he/she receives through them. Many of the sensorial materials prepare the child for further academic learning.

 

Geometry

Since shape is the defining characteristic of all letters of the alphabet and written numerals, geometric shapes are introduced to help the child recognise different shapes. Vocabulary building too is an important part of this activity.
 

CURRICULUM
Wooden Cylinders, used to introduce the principle of geometry andmathematics and develop coordination.

 

ACADEMICS 

 

Arithmetic

A child learns the basic concept of arithmetic through the use of specially designed concrete

materials and its corresponding symbol. This way the child develops a positive understanding

of the operation of addition, multiplication, subtraction and division.

Writing

 

The use of specially designed equipment gives the child a three fold impression, he sees the
shape, he feels the shape and he hears the sound. This is an important step in learning to write.

Reading and Vocabulary Skills

The child learns the phonetic sounds of the alphabetical symbols first and develops word building
gradually progressing to long phonetic words and sentences. Parallel to this the child is introduced
to the phonograms and different parts of grammar.

 

Cultural Subjects

 

Geography, History and Botany are introduced to help the child’s imagination and lead him/her

to an understanding of the real world, during the time he/she is most sensitive to it. The child

grows aware that everything in the universe is inter-related and that he/she has a place in it.

The main aim is to nurture a feeling of love, respect and responsibility for all living things within

the young child. This could only happen through knowledge and understanding. French as a 

foreign language, science, drama creative arts and crafts, cookery, music and singing are also

part of the curriculum.

 

French

 

The children have a French lesson once a week. They are introduced to French vocabulary,

numbers and songs. 

 

Music and Movement
 

Once a week the children have Music and Movement lesson. They have the opportunity to play various musical instruments and learn about tempo, rhythm and sound. The nursery also incorporates song, movement and musical instruments in the daily and weekly activities.

12 months to 2 years
 

The toddler’s days are planned using the basic Montessori philosophy with a stimulating, fun and balanced learning.

 

Curriculum; Themes are set at the beginning of each month e.g. Bodies in action, all about me, toys and baby animals on the farm and access to basic Montessori exercises from the shelf.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Principle combined with the Montessori curriculum to support the toddler’s learning.
This enables us to provide a wide variety of activities for all the toddlers in our care on a daily basis.

Some examples of the stimulating activities the toddlers will experience and enjoy during the busy day:

 

• Montessori Practical Life and Sensorial excercises.

• Construction play including mega blocks, duplo stickle bricks.

• Imaginative play including dressing up clothes, dolls and farm box.

• Sensory development including experimenting with corn flour, jelly and water.

• Music times with instrument.

• Indoor soft play and physical play.

• Outdoor play.

 

The main aims and objectives of a Montessori classroom is “To help the children help themselves”