CRICKETS MONTESSORI NURSERY SCHOOL

AN EXPLANATION OF THE MONTESSORI METHOD

The montessori method of education is based on Maria Montessori's observations of children. It encourages children's natural desire to learn through the five senses. This enhances self motivation and helps children to use their unique ability to develop their individual interests and talents.

PRACTICAL LIFE

Everyday activities are used to encourage all round development: physical, mental and moral. These activities are divided into three categories: care of the person, care of the environment and grace and courtesy.

The exercises develop and refine co-ordination, encourage integration of the personality and give satisfaction and confidence when a skill is mastered.

SENSORIAL

Montessori exercises lay foundations for future numeracy and literacy skill. Through a sensorial exploration of equipment, the child is encouraged to become more aware of the environment and notice differences or similarities within it.

READING

The child is introduced to the phonetic alphabet by sight, sound and muscular impressions using sandpaper letters. The comprehensive reading scheme includes exercises in reading short phonetic words, longer phonetic words, phonograms (exceptions to the English language) and basic grammar.

MATHEMATICS

The child gains a physical impression of the quantity and is then introduced to the written symbol using sandpaper numbers. Once he has become accomplished at combining the quantity with the symbol, he or she is introduced to the decimal system. Again, the concrete is presented before the abstract and the child works with each category, units, tens, hundreds and thousands from an early age.

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