The sensorial area focuses on helping students to refine their senses of sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound. This will help them to organize their sensory impressions as well as their understanding of the world. The sensorial materials and lessons help children learn how to clarify, classify, and understand the world around them.

Something that makes the Montessori unique are the lessons given in Practical Life. The practice of these activities help students prepare for life both inside and outside of the classroom. It is also designed to help them develop and fine-tune their basic motor skills. Self care, dressing, cleaning, transferring small objects, preparing food, and lessons in grace and courtesy are some of the work we focus on in Practical Life. When a child can independently navigate their space, they learn to trust themselves and their own capabilities.

This area of the curriculum focuses on teaching and helping students to understand abstract mathematical concepts and relationships. As with most of the Montessori experience, mathematics is taught in a completely hands-on way. Using tactile materials like beads, counters, large number rods, sandpaper numerals, and number cards to help the children fully grasp the concept of both quantity and symbol. It is beautifully designed to lay the foundation of a complete understanding of numbers. No matter the age of the child or where they are in their development, the Montessori Math curriculum will leave them inspired, excited, be ready for the next lesson.

This portion of the Montessori curriculum focuses on providing children with the knowledge and skills to develop and build their understanding of language and vocabulary. Matching is a key stepping stone when learning to read, so this area of the classroom is filled with small objects and matching games. We introduce letters by their lowercase symbol and phonetic sound (not letter name). By simplifying the alphabet to the lowercase letter symbols we see most when reading and using their sound, it removes the inherent distractions that come along with matching sound to symbol. This is by far the simplest and quickest way to reading. Hands-on materials like sandpaper letters, moveable alphabets, and three-part cards are used to help children develop the skills that are required for oral language, reading, and writing.

Geometry in a Montessori classroom is quite different from traditional education. The lessons used to introduce the child to the concept of geometry are designed so that the child can actively engage and experience each material. We begin with the geometric solids, which allow the child to explore each shape independently. Once the child is comfortable with the each solid, we introduce matching base cards to show the relationship of 3D solids to their 2D bases. When the child is ready, we dive deeper into understanding each shape and begin building our shapes from others. Giving the child an opportunity to sensorially explore each concept in this way assures they will keep it with them for them rest of their lives.

Geography is also focused on in a hands-on way. The use of puzzle maps, land and water forms, three part cards, and globes are employed to help children become familiar with the layout of the planet. As with everything we want to teach the children, we start with the simplest concept. Usually the first geography lesson is deciphering between land and water. We present the child with a small globe where the land is a tactile sandpaper and the water is a smooth blue. Then we move on to various land and water forms where the child is able to use water to pour into various form to fully understand the relationship between the forms. From here we explore man made borders with continents and natural borders with biomes. Earth Sciences are also a vital part of our Geography studies. The children learn about Astronomy, Volcanos, and Geology. It is a wonderful way to help the child to understand their place in the world.

Throughout the year we will study various animals including the human. Starting with all the parts of the animal, their lifecycles, and their impact on our world. We focus on conservation and how humans can help endangered wildlife.

Botany studies begin with a look at the parts and life cycle of plants. The work and presentations explore the importance of plants to human and animal life. Students are encouraged to look at the many ways that plants provide for the environment. We study various plants, one unit at a time, and let the children’s natural curiosity guide them through their study.

Art is everywhere in our classroom, however there is always an area dedicated to different projects the children can explore. These projects are designed to refine motor skills and also inspire creativity. Beading, sewing, collage, and painting are just a few of the works available at any given time. Throughout the year, we study artists from around the world and allow the children to create inspired pieces in their style. By allowing the children the freedom to explore their personal expression through various mediums, their confidence in all areas of the classroom flourish.

Children have a natural love and attraction to music. Music is a part of our daily lives in the classroom. It helps them learn new ideas and connect with friends. We sing songs, write songs, and learn to play guitar! When teaching guitar to young children, we use small Loog guitars that are specifically designed for tiny hands to build strength. Repetition, matching, and exploring the parts of the guitar, build the foundation for a deeper understanding of math and language.

Introducing the children to mindfulness is one of the most valuable skills we give them. Breath work and guided meditation calms the nervous system and creates an environment where the children are in control of their emotions and bodies. This is an important part of our daily routine and often see the children excited to bring these lessons home to share with their families.

Our cultural calendar provides the children the opportunity to celebrate traditions and holidays around the world. Cultural celebrations are a regular part of the Montessori classroom. Diwali, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and other celebrations are honored. We welcome families to participate by volunteering to share some of their cultural traditions. Parents are invited to read books, teach some words in their language, or explain some of their traditions using objects or pictures. We invite families to bring in traditional food to share and help to supervise special art projects. Children have the opportunity to try on traditional clothing and eat delicious snacks. These experiences for young children instill a respect and appreciation for humanity as a whole.