A Montessori education encourages children to develop at their own pace while instilling a sense of order and structure.
Students are introduced to materials, called ‘work,’ that relate to their current stage of development while engaging their curiosity. In a primary classroom (ages 2.5-6), the environment is set up with four main areas: practical life and everyday skills, sensorial materials, language and math, and science and geography. Teachers first guide children with lessons on each area as developed by Maria Montessori. Students are then invited to practice the work on their own, guided by their own individual pace.
Montessori students are encouraged to make independent choices with their work and to collaborate and problem solve with their peers. All students take part in caring for their materials, replacing them exactly where they found them so that they are ready for the next child to use.
A Montessori education has what is called a Three-Period Lesson:
1. State the name of the work.
2. Ask the child to show you the work.
3. Have the child tell you what they are doing.
- 1) Introduce the Butterfly Developmental Activity Board.
- 2) Say, “This is the Butterfly Board.”
- 3) Ask the child, “Can you say Butterfly Board?”
- 4) There are four colors: yellow, red, blue and green. Point to each color while saying it.
- 5) Ask the child, “Can you show me red?” (Allow the child to point to it).
- 6) Repeat the same direction with each color.
- 7) Move the knobs with purpose as you demonstrate.
- 8) Have the child repeat the work on their own.
The Learning Tower is the perfect addition to one’s home to begin encouraging your child to practice their independence and feel safe in doing so. By raising a child up to counter-height, the Learning Tower nurtures a child’s innate desire to be independent and participate alongside his or her parents or siblings. Additionally, Little Partners’ selection of Developmental Activity Boards encourage children to test and stimulate their senses with touch, visual cues and even sound.
It’s proven that children thrive in an environment that encourages self-esteem building activities. A true Montessori classroom creates a warm and inviting space for students to reach their full potential.