Children under six years have extraordinary mental powers and a phenomenal ability to absorb knowledge directly from the environment. They feel, touch, manipulate objects and learn. Their senses are finely tuned to receive information and they want to master everything. Their “absorbent mind” is at its peak receptivity and because of this, they do not require direct teaching. The class is made up of children between the ages of 1 ½ and 6 years. The children learn from each other and because of each other too. They learn to take responsibility, respect each other’s work and space, and treat everyone with courtesy. The classroom is a thriving community of children, “a living room” for children with child sized furniture and materials. Most of the work is done individually and a few group activities involve the entire class.
The activities offered in the Montessori Primary environment can be broadly divided into 5 categories:
Practical Life
There are simple activities that provide a rich experience for the child to develop motor co-ordination and grace in movements. They are familiar activities to the child and help them develop an awareness of the environment around by.
• Taking care of the surroundings (sweeping, dusting, polishing, etc.)
• Taking care of themselves (washing hands, fastening buttons and buckles, etc.)
• Learning acts of grace and courtesy (greeting people, talking softly, saying 'please' and 'thank you', etc.)
Sensorial Activities
Children explore the world through their senses. Colors, size, dimensions, shapes, form, touch, taste and smell dominate their consciousness. The sensorial material allows children to clarify, classify and understand their world.
Mathematics
Children are offered numbers around 3½ years of age. At this stage the mathematical mind is awakened. The child wants to know precise quantities and is not satisfied with terms like 'this is more than that'. A wide range of mathematical activities help them understand arithmetic concepts. Meaningful representations of numbers, 1-10, the zero, the four operations and the decimal system help easy understanding.
Language
Spoken language is the foundation of all linguistic expression. The alphabet is presented as symbols of sound and correct phonetics is established. Words, sentences and stories are then introduced based on sounds, followed by writing and reading.
Culture
This is broadly defined as any science or art brought into being by Man. Various activities are offered around geography, history, art, music, geometry, physics and the likes. These are viewed as forms of expression and complement the child's development.
The child is encouraged to experience and participate in these activities so that he does not view them as merely 'subjects' to be studied, but as part of life and the environment.
