Montessori preschool programs offer parents an alternative to traditional school. Unfortunately, many parents are unaware of Montessori preschools and an even larger number of parents are unaware of Montessori methods and curriculum. Parents need to be more aware of Montessori methods and other teaching and learning strategies which will help…
Dr. Montessori always pointed out that the young child has a natural sensitivity for language development which follows closely on the years when he or she learns to speak his or her native language (Montessori, 1966). The child at three, four and five has a unique fascination for words, both…
Many of the sensorial exercises are a remote preparation for academic learning. For example, the child who has learned to listen carefully will be able to perceive subtle differences in the sounds of the letters. Of equal importance to language skills are the geometric materials, which help the child to…
The Smelling Jars consist of two sets of small jars with removable caps. These jars are identical in all respects except the flavoring which they contain. One has cinnamon, another mint, another coffee, another cloves, etc. Each jar has a distinct fragrance. Each jar in the first set has a mate…
Indirect preparation for the motor technique of writing begins when the child uses the Cylinder Blocks. These are four oblong blocks of a natural colored wood. Each block contains ten cylinder shaped insets which can be handled by a knob attached to the top. The cylinders vary in graduated differences…
A young child meets the world around him through the constant use of all his senses. The sensor puts him or her in touch with his or her environment, his or her group and his or her time. Since he or she quite naturally used all his or her powers…
Since shape is the defining characteristic of each letter of the alphabet, Dr. Montessori designed several sensorial exercises to make the children aware of this quality. She began with the geometric solids. This is a set of materials alike in color and texture and of approximately the same size but…
Sensorial Materials in the Montessori Classroom – Part 6 Sandpaper Letters – Shapes The child meets the alphabetical symbols by using the sandpaper letters. Each letter of the alphabet is outlined in sandpaper on an individual card, the vowels on blue and the consonants on red. The teacher shows the…
Sensorial Materials in the Montessori Classroom – Part 5 Part five of our blog series about sensorial Montessori curriculum focuses on writing preparation. At Arbor View Montessori we use Sensorial Materials in the Montessori classroom, which increases the child’s awareness and helps the child form more distinguished impressions of their…
Dr. Montessori wrote, “A child’s work is to create the man he will become. An adult works to perfect the environment but a child works to perfect himself.” Using the child’s natural inclination as a point of departure, Dr. Montessori structured several exercises for the classroom to help the child…
