The power of observation is one of the many key elements of a Montessori classroom. Children are free to observe their peers, in so far as they don’t interrupt their concentration, or otherwise disturb them.
Observation in a Montessori classroom is beneficial for several reasons:
Promotes Learning- Observation allows children to learn from their peers’ actions, behaviours, and interactions, fostering a deeper understanding of concepts.
Develops Empathy-By observing others, children develop empathy and an understanding of different perspectives and emotions.
Encourages Independence-Through observation, children learn to solve problems on their own and develop self-reliance, which are fundamental principles of the Montessori method.
Enhances Social Skills-Observing peers in a classroom setting helps children learn social norms, develop communication skills, and build friendships.
Supports Different Learning Styles-Observation caters to different learning styles, allowing children to absorb information visually and kinesthetically.
Facilitates Teacher Guidance-Teachers can use observations to assess individual children’s needs and tailor their guidance and support accordingly.
Overall, observation plays a crucial role in the Montessori classroom, contributing to a holistic learning experience for children.
Classified Pictures is a favourite work of the young ones in our school. This amazing piece of material not only offers names to the child but also a meaningful conversation that revolves around that picture. We often observe a child tell his or her friend the same story that the teachers told about a picture. On top of that, these Classified Pictures also help the child to organise information where different objects/animals belong to different categories.
The “prepared environment” is Maria Montessori’s concept that the environment can be designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child. In the prepared environment, there is a variety of activities as well as a great deal of movement. A Montessori teacher serves as the preparer and communicator of the environment to the child and is responsible for maintaining the atmosphere and order of the prepared environment. The materials range from simple to complex and from concrete to abstract, catering toward every child’s age and ability.
Montessori classrooms are designed to offer lessons, activities, and tools that match the developmental needs and interests of each child. It is important to note that not every child will be interested in every available lesson. This is why children are allowed to choose the lessons they gravitate toward naturally.
No doubt scrapbooking develop children’s creativity. Right from their preschool years, scrapbooks can hone their creative skills and thinking skills and let them be more imaginative.
Smelling bottles are standard material in the Sensorial area of a Montessori classroom. The smelling bottles are a part of the early childhood Montessori Sensorial lesson sequence, focusing on the olfactory sense.
Children and adults alike can have fun with the smelling jars, and they’re easily adaptable for different spices and leaves. The purpose is for the child to develop their sense of smell. The process is simple – the child sniffs their way through the bottles trying to match two identical scents.
Making the smelling bottles is pretty straightforward and can be done with items we already have around our school compound – betel leaves, pandan leaves, curry leaves, and kaffir leaves.
Why Practical Life Activities are so important in a Montessori classroom?
Practical life activity is a way of life for humans. It helps the child to adapt to his/her environment. Children are naturally attracted to these activities. The graceful coordinated movement calls to the soul of this little child.
Practical Life activities not only offer hand-eye coordination for the child but also help the child to build concentration, develop independency and strengthen his/her will.
