You will find a Children's House guide typically on a rug on the floor, or at a child-sized table, giving full attention to an individual child or a small group. Careful observation of the guide will show they are constantly on the move in a quiet way, as they go from child to child, and seek to be alert to the needs and actions of all.
The Montessori environment supports spontaneous learning and discovery. In this environment, new information is presented to children when they are developmentally ready for it and centres on their individual needs.
In Children's House there are five defined areas, focusing on the children’s interests and their developmental needs.
Practical Life
Preliminary exercises, care of self, care for the environment, grace and courtesy and control of movement. Encouraging the children to look after themselves, their classroom and home environment, independently. Developing gross and fine motor skills, independence, concentration, problem-solving and gaining a strong sense of self by actively contributing to their world.
Sensorial
Sensorial materials serve as tools for development. Children build cognitive skills and learn to order and classify by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting and listening, and exploring the physical properties of their environment.
Language
Introducing a series of learning tools, such as sandpaper textured letters and a moveable alphabet. Montessori materials capture the developmental readiness of young children to be introduced to reading and writing.
Mathematics
Experiencing numbers and counting using self-correcting tactile materials and participating in game-like activities that introduce a deep understanding of place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, time, measurement, temperature and the calendar. Making the learning process fun!
Cultural
History, Geography, Botany, Zoology, Science, Music and Art. Introducing the children to the world in which we live and their social responsibilities.
