by Hidayah | Aug 9, 2021 | Sensorial
Sensorial activities are used in Montessori learning to help children in discrimination and order. They also help broaden and refine a child’s senses. When a child combines Montessori designed materials with sensorial work, it helps them become more logical, perceptive, and aware.
The Sensorial area allows the child to explore the world around her/him through the senses. These exercises help the child develop a keener eye for the discrimination of contrasts and minute details. Each material isolates one defining quality such as colour, weight, shape, texture, size, sound and smell.
Children are learning about gradation – from the darkest shade to the lightest shade.
Sensorial-rough and smooth: “Playing with texture in groups encourages co-operation and individual creative development. And just as importantly, it’s also great fun.” – Judith Stevens
by Hidayah | Aug 3, 2021 | Culture, Montessori Learning
“Culture and education have no bounds or limits; now man is in a phase in which he must decide for himself how far he can proceed in the culture that belongs to the whole of humanity.” Maria Montessori
Montessori cultural activities are some interesting learning. They typically include geography, history, general science, botany and zoology, music, and art. Culture studies can build bridges between pupils. When one child picks up a topic others want to join. And exchanging knowledge begins from that moment onwards.
The Montessori Cultural Studies curriculum provides children with an opportunity to explore the larger world. As part of a rich exploration of the different cultures of the world, students learn about the people, terrain and animals of each continent.
Cultural Studies also introduces children to the physical world that surrounds them, providing them with the opportunity to explore real things and learn the scientific names of plants and animals.
“The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child.” —The Absorbent Mind by Dr Montessori
by Hidayah | Aug 3, 2021 | Art Therapy
Fostering creativity won’t just increase your child’s chances of becoming the next Picasso. You’re also helping him developmentally, socially, and emotionally.
Art provides kids with critical sensory input and can help children express their feelings in a multidimensional way even if they lack the vocabulary to describe their feelings with words.
The process of making art forms by children.
by Hidayah | Jul 31, 2021 | Montessori Learning, Music & Movement Education in Montessori
Observing how music connects to a child and how it moves them with coordination so easily, is wonderful!
“Music has just as much to do with movement and body as it does soul and intellect.” Esa-Pekka Salonen, Finnish Musician
Making music out of everyday things. Creative and fun music movement class using only a piece of cloth.
“If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me music.” J. M. Barrie
by Hidayah | Jul 27, 2021 | Exercise of Practical Life
Maria Montessori says: ” The life of the spirit prepares the dynamic power to daily life and on its side, daily life encourages thought by means of ordinary work.” -The child in the family, page 31
Coronavirus can spread when people breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze. By wearing face masks in public, even when children feel well, they can help stop the spread of COVID-19 — and protect their families, their communities, and themselves.
Let us ‘Knot-and-Tuck’ our mask children.
Developing life skills can begin with a hands-on task such as making their own sandwich. This is a great way to encourage independence, practice fine motor skills, and foster self-confidence in the child.
Practicing life skills on laundry day. Washing and drying clothes can be tough work too!
Washing a table is simple work, yet it can help children adapt to the environment and culture, refine gross and fine motor skills, developmental mental order, concentration, self-direction, and functional independence.
“Helping out at home raises self-esteem: when parents insist that kids do their chores, they are letting them know that they’re not just loved, they are needed.” – Wendy Mogel
by Hidayah | Oct 6, 2018 | Montessori 101, Montessori Learning, Philosophy
Children in the Montessori classroom learn self-discipline through the enforcement of three simple rules:
- Take care of the people;
- Take care of the things;
- Make it work.
The first rule encompasses being kind to others, helping others, respecting the rights of others (not interrupting other children at their work, using a quiet voice indoors, etc.), and this rule is also expanded to include plants and animals.
The second rule includes the children in the care of their environment. By taking care of the materials that are so vital to their development (dusting, polishing, putting away properly, handling with care), the children grow in self-esteem, and, by controlling their environment, are able to control themselves.
If the first two rules are followed, “make it work” is a matter of course, and the children have the liberty to explore the environment, as their developmental needs demand. Sometimes a child will need adult help as she internalizes these rules and external discipline will need to be exercised. This is our procedure when external is deemed necessary:
- Redirect the child through alternative activities;
- Take time to talk with the indirect child; explore ways of making life more pleasant;
- The Directress will keep the disruptive child with her/him as she/he goes about assisting other children. This allows the child to observe the “normalized” behavior and perhaps find activities to the child’s liking.
- Persistent disruption may be dealt with by temporary removal from the group (time-out). The child may return to the group when willing to abide by the stated ground rules.
If necessary, the staff will seek parental help and guidance in understanding the child. If unable to resolve the problem with the assistance of parents, the staff will recommend professional help to parents. Under no circumstances shall any child be subjected to corporal punishment, verbal abuse, or be deprived of regularly scheduled meals or snacks.
Children learn to respect others after they have the experience of being respected. This is one of the basic principles of the Montessori philosophy and effective discipline. It is important for children to establish a sense of autonomy and self-confidence, to believe that they are worthy of respect, and to know how to live among people in a disciplined way.
