Exercises of Practical Life
Children are naturally interested in activities they have witnessed.The purpose and aim of Practical Life is to help the child gain control in the coordination of his/her movement, gain independence and adapt to his/her society. It is therefore important to “Teach teaching, not correcting” , in order to allow the child to be a fully functional member in his own society. Practical Life Exercises also aid the growth and development of the child’s intellect and concentration and in turn help the child develop an orderly way of thinking.
Sensorial Activities
When the child comes to the CASA, he is attracted by everything in the environment – colors, sizes, weights etc. thus he’s coming in contact with his environment through his senses. So we offer him sensorial activities to refine his senses.The sensorial materials are specifically designed and there is material for each quality for all the different senses and each experience gets internalized and remains with the child throughout their life. Each set is complete and physically proportionate to the child for its use.
Mathematics
In a Montessori environment children evolve from the study of concrete mathematical concepts to abstract ones. The Montessori mathematics curriculum is varied and challenging.
The concepts are never forced upon children. The materials are very exact with built-in control of error to help develop the sense of accuracy, concreteness and independence.
Language
According to Dr. Maria Montessori, the evolution of language begins with the infant’s inherent capacity to absorb fragments of speech that form the basis for further language development. The child first discovers that sounds have meaning and then isolates parts of speech. The child’s acquisition of oral skills occurs naturally.
Experiences gained from the Practical Life and Sensorial activities serve as a preparation for reading and writing. Through storytelling, conversation and many other exercises, the child’s vocabulary grows. Eventually these preparatory activities culminate in a child beginning to write. Dr. Montessori calls this an ‘explosion’ into writing.
Geography, Science & Social studies
Montessori curriculum offers many opportunities for children to expand their knowledge of the world during the early years when the motivation is purely spontaneous interest. The use of different puzzle maps and globes, to name a few allows children to learn the varied aspects of a continent, the name of a country, it’s flag, the capital city, etc.
