|
Freedom, structure and order, reality and nature,
beauty and atmosphere, the concept of community life, specialized
materials, and the role of the teacher combine to make the prepared
environment for the children. Our
multi-age classrooms are one of the most important aspects of the
prepared environment. Often the older children become the caretakers
of the younger ones, much like siblings in a family. As the
older students teach
the younger ones, they become more confident in their own abilities.
The Montessori
curriculum revolves around the “classic” materials. These beautiful
materials are specially designed learning tools that lend themselves
to be manipulated by the children and are meant to build on the
developmental aims of order, concentration, coordination,
self-confidence, and independence. The four main categories of the
materials are: practical life, sensorial, math, and language. These
materials progress from simple to more abstract and complex. As each
student matures and/or becomes ready, they are guided towards
new activities.
Realizing that children absorb knowledge from their environment makes
it very important that we give our children every aspect of a
carefully prepared classroom; we want our students to have every
opportunity for success. |
