WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
Montessori Education encourages and supports children to develop physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Children work individually at their own pace with specially selected equipment and materials. This self-guided structured learning develops their concentration, independence, and confidence. They are free to work at their own level in any of the six areas:
AT ABACUS OUR PRESCHOOL MONTESSORI CURRICULUM INVOLVES
Practical Life
Through activities such as washing, lacing, pouring, and preparing food, children learn to care for themselves and their environment. At the same time, they build essential fine motor skills and interpersonal communication skills as they work cooperatively with their peers. Learning to concentrate, complete tasks, and build confidence pave the way for later academic success. Activities are designed to support the development of pre-reading, pre-writing, and preparing children for their learning journey.
Sensorial
The Montessori Sensorial materials help children organize, compare, order, and classify things based on how they look, feel, sound, smell, taste, etc.
Language
Using the extensive array of Montessori language materials in carefully sequenced order, children learn seamlessly. Sandpaper Letters, matching sight cards, the Moveable Alphabet, and the Metal Insets are but some of the language materials available to all children.
Mathematics
Students explore number concepts, geometry, money, time, weights, and measurements by using concrete, hands-on materials. Careful design of materials in the mathematics area and in the sensorial area extend students’ knowledge and move them further toward more abstract concepts at a pace that is right for each child.
Science and Culture
Experiences that provide children with information about geography, history, music, art, science and nature study. Other areas of interest or knowledge from hobbies or occupations of our community are explored as well. Children’s natural curiosity about their world is fully unleashed as they experiment with magnets, simple machines, and properties of matter and as they explore the seasons, plant and animal life, and how things work. Culturally, children are introduced to the wide diversity of geography and national customs that make up our world, as well as the history of the universe through the use of Puzzles.
AT ABACUS OUR NURSERY MONTESSORI CURRICULUM INVOLVES
Care and Routines
Children’s caregiving routines are at the forefront of the day in the Nursery, where kāiako, in partnership with families, interact and respond to children’s individual needs. Kāiako shares caregiving roles throughout the week. Children develop positive well-being, a sense of belonging, trustful relationships and communication skills through this. Communication with parents and whānau is paramount in creating a nurturing, responsive environment for all children.
Movement
Freedom of Movement is encouraged in the nursery. Infants are provided space and time to develop their physical skills eg, rolling over, pulling themselves up to hands and knees and sitting when they are ready to do so by themselves. As children further develop their motor skills, kāiako extend on these through planned experiences. Some skills developed include; motor control, pincer grip, self-confidence and control of error.
Self-help
As our motto states “help me do it for myself”, children are encouraged to learn self-help skills based on their physical readiness. Through children’s sensitive period of order, they begin to show an interest in doing things for themselves, e.g. putting belongings away in their bag and knowing that before meal times hands are washed at the children’s sink.
Practical Life/Sensorial
Materials and activities include care of self, the environment and concern for others. Concentration and coordination are developed. Grace and courtesy skills are practised.
Language
Children begin with non-verbal ways to communicate and over time build up their vocabulary to communicate verbally with those around them.
Our Montessori philosophy and safer teacher-to-child ratios foster self-guided learning, developing concentration, self-discipline, independence, and self-esteem. This solid foundation prepares your child for school success.