Howe Street Early Learning Centre

The “absorbent mind” is the mind’s capacity to take in information and sensations from the world that surrounds it, this information is unconsciously absorbed by the child and used to shape who they become. Within a few years, a child learns to move and control their body, talk and communicate ideas, and soon gain independence.

Role of a Montessori Teacher
The role of the teacher is to understand child development, plan and support children’s learning by observing and being mindful of children’s changing interests and needs.

Montessori Materials
Dr. Montessori used what she knew about the senses to develop a series of sensorial materials for young children, these materials were designed to isolate one skill and to be self-correcting. This allows the child to concentrate their efforts and encourage independence in their own learning.

Prepared Environment
Dr. Maria Montessori believed the experience provided for children should be hands-on (and modern science has affirmed) that moving and learning are inseparable. In the prepared classroom, children work with specially designed manipulative materials that invite exploration and engage the senses in the process of learning.

Normalisation
Normalisation in the Montessori environment is refer to the focus, concentration, and independence of the children, by their own choice, for a sustained period of time. It means they have acquired the internal freedom to initiate work, be independent, and adhere (by choice) to the rules of the environment.
A well-prepared Montessori environment facilitates the process of normalization by offering engaging, hands-on materials, three-hour work cycles, and minimizing the disruption of concentration.

Five Curriculum Areas
The Montessori Curriculum is divided into five key areas of learning: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language and Culture. Each curriculum area has a dedicated space in the prepared environment.

The Practical Life area is the foundation of Montessori philosophy. The purpose is to help the children develop co-ordination, concentration, a sense of personal independence and a sense of order. The precise movements of the Practical Life material challenge the child to concentrate, work at their own pace uninterrupted and to complete a cycle of work which typically results in the feelings of satisfaction and confidences.

There are four categories of Practical Life

– Care of a Person: dressing, washing hands, toileting hygiene, hanging up their coat and polishing their shoes.
– Care of the Environment: washing tables, folding napkins, dusting, plant and animal care.
– Grace and Courtesy; greetings, classroom walking and talking, shaking hands and classroom manners.
– Control of Movement: walking the line and silence game.

Sensorial Exercises in the Montessori classroom are designed to help a child’s sensory integration. Sensory integration is the way the nervous system processes information from the senses. When sensations flow in an organized manner, the brain can use these sensations to form perceptions, behaviour, and learning. These include sensorial exercises such as gradations of colour, dimension, sound, tactile impressions, comparisons of smell and taste, geography, and geometry.