Material Description: These napkins are made from a durable, good quality cotton, (casement fabric) in plain, light colours. The napkin measures 28 cm2 when washed and hemmed. The only design should be a running stitch or line made in contracting colour to be a guiding line for the folds, visible on both sides of the …
Carrying a sharp or pointed object
In general if one is carrying a sharp or pointed object it is carried in a tray. If not, hold the object away from yourself with the sharp side facing down and to the left. Scissors Material Description: A child size scissor with rounded points and a distinct handle, have left and right …
Ten more Elementary Movements
Putting down a rolled Working Mat Picking up folded Cloths Carrying small folded Cloths Sitting on a Mat Carrying a tray Pouring water from a Teapot Using a Pedal Bin Opening and Closing Boxes Carrying a Bucket containing water Using a Pipette Putting down a rolled Working Mat …
Walking on the Line
Movement is an integral part of the Montessori classroom, during the child’s time at the Children’s House she experiences both the Sensitive Period for Conscious Co-ordination of Movement (two to four and a half years) and the Refinement of the Senses (two to four years). In this time the muscular and nervous development of the …
The Silence Activity
Perfect silence makes a tremendous impression, it is much more significant than simply not talking, perfect silence is the cession of all movement, including involuntary ones. Montessori uses the term silence to mean the inhibition of all movements, to do this we must establish a degree of comfort, so that we are not fighting the …
Needs and Tendencies
Montessori describes tendencies as ‘life forces’ or ‘natural guides’ which drive man towards activities which aid his needs for survival, and fulfilment. Montessori argues that man’s needs are not only physical, for clothing, food, shelter, but also spiritual, culture, are, social networks, the desire to think, explore, reflect and contribution and emotional, the needs for …
Giving a Presentation
Presentation (Demonstration) The Director gives presentations of the materials as a response to an acute need which arises from the child’s Sensitive Periods and her Will to act, so the child gives her full attention, her Absorbent Mind ensures that she is able to pick up many details and having acted on her tendencies for …
Observation
Observation Notes Unlike usual classroom teachers, the Montessori adult has a dual role of observer and teacher. To offer Assistantial Assistance and be Child Centred the Directress must take her cues from the child and for this she needs to observe the infant in her most natural state. From these observations the adult can form …
The Three Period Lesson
Along side presentations the knowledge of names can be conveyed to children in exceptional events known as ‘Three Period Lessons’. They are points of arrival, acknowledging the child’s experiential learning with the Sensorial materials either because her need for this has arisen or because it is anticipated. The ‘Three Period Lessons’ are offered individually, consent …
The Four Planes of Development
Montessori’s vision for development includes the whole human life, from conception to death, to account for the formation of man she divides the first 24 years of life into 4 planes, after 24 years an individual continues to develop. Once each plane ends the phase preceding it becomes hard to re-imagine and the learning, or …