Our Curriculum

Practical Life activities help a child to develop concentration, coordination, independence and order. As a result, children will grow in their motor skills, cognitive development, and self-confidence.

These activities not only teach physical skills but also are designed to develop:

• Muscle control and coordination
• A sense of order through working in definite sequence
• An understanding through control of the environment which results in a sense of dignity, self-confidence and a joy in completing tasks
• Concentration and persistence through focusing of attention on work, thus allowing independence and self-reliance to be achieved
• The procedure for choosing work after a lesson has been placed on the shelf and returning materials to their proper place on the shelves
• Respect for others, respect for self and respect for the environment

Language development in early childhood classrooms is integral to the Montessori curriculum. Children learn to listen, speak, write, and read through daily interactions. A balanced, calm environment fosters optimal language learning. In the language area of a Montessori classroom, activities greet young children to develop early literacy skills, expand vocabulary, and recognize sounds, objects, and pictures. Activities include matching sets, learning names of household tools, unusual fruits and vegetables, and geometric shapes. Dr. Maria Montessori developed three key language materials: metal insets, sandpaper letters, and the moveable alphabet. These have proven highly effective and are now widely adopted in various early childhood settings.

The language area contains many learning opportunities such as:

• Learning the shapes and sounds of the letters
• Perfecting the fine motor skills for writing
• Vocabulary development
• Matching of words and pictures
• Reading silently
• Reading development (reading word lists, sentences, and stories)
• Parts of speech-word games with sounds, verbs and adjectives