Montessori Curriculum

This area of the Montessori method is the most important. Practical life teaches the child about self and about life. Children wash tables and chairs, polish glass and wood, learn to do zippers and bows, they sew buttons and make intricate embroidery to name a few. Children derive enormous satisfaction, focus, pride, self-esteem and logic. They gain awareness of the environment around them and develop a sense of community. They see the result of this work immediately, if they carry water and it spills they learned something, perhaps it was too full or they walked too fast or they talked while doing this, this is how they learn about common sense, consequences, cause and effect and responsibility. Practical life activities are an indirect preparation for math, language and sensorial work. 

For a child to learn language, its mechanics and nuances, proper structure and clear pronunciation he must be first and foremost surrounded by rich language. Learning language is not a drill, endless copying and memorization of spellings. The home and school environment must be full of examples of language, such as rich conversations, empathetic listening, clear, patient and loving speaking. In our class, with the Montessori Curriculum,  the children will be exposed to a lot of spoken language before they can start learning the mechanics of language. A rich variety of nomenclature cards is available on the shelf, a library with child appropriate books is at the child’s disposal whenever they want. To learn how to read and write, their body, mind and spirit has to be ready. This is where Practical life and sensorial education are very important. At Montessori in the Woods, it is our job to observe the child very carefully and see when this readiness is there. Parents must read with the children at home and parents should be seen reading themselves.