The Montessori Environment

Dr Maria Montessori’s “prepared environment” provides special materials for the child’s needs.

The learning areas and didactic material have specific and logical sequences that provide order to the child’s experiences.

Each piece of equipment is designed to develop a specific concept.

The Montessori class is divided into five sections:

1. Practical Life

Practical Life materials provide the link between the home and school and enhance the development of co-ordination,

concentration and independence. ??These materials endeavour to help the children adapt to their environment.
There are over 50 practical life activities in our class. Special activities may include cooking, gardening, craft, sewing, etc.

2. The Mathematics Program

The Mathematics program lays the foundation of maths concepts with concrete materials. The maths apparatus take the child from an initial understanding of the meaning of the numbers 1 to 10, to a comprehension of the decimal system and the four processes of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. ??The materials are designed to take children from a physical concept of numbers through to an abstract level of understanding.

It is a way of looking at the world; a language for understanding and expressing measurable relationships inherent in our environment.

3. Sensorial Program

Sensorial materials provide the opening for children to be more perceptive, to understand concepts and to focus on the details by involving them in activities in grading and matching shape, weight and dimensions, touch, taste, colour and sound.

4. Language Program

The Language materials increase vocabulary and help the child to read and write. As motor skills develop, the children learn to write with a pencil and are able to read their own work.

5. Cultural Program

Cultural equipment provides children with experiences in geography, history, music, art and natural sciences.

The puzzle maps pave the way to explore the world, continents, Australian states, capital cities, land formations – lakes, islands etc., flags of countries and different people, cultures. Languages etc. are all used as the focus for projects. The study of Botany and Natural History provide an opportunity to learn about the plant kingdom. The Botany cabinet and illustration cards are but a few of the apparatus available in the class. The study of insects, birds and animals are the foundation to zoology.