Back to School Term 1; 2014/15 The Montessori philosophy emphasizes that respect for the environment and for each other is enhanced by group activities that require care for tools and materials, co-operation with peers and completion of tasks. Maria Montessoris views on Children and Nature: There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature. - Maria Montessori Over the summer break, the Academy has implemented an Outdoor Classroom, consisting of a work area, featuring a sand and rice box, a flower/butterfly and vegetable garden and a digging pit, extending classroom lessons and student interests to the outdoors. Young children, even before they enter the classroom have a compelling desire to know about and participate in the environment in which they live in. The child imitates what they see, for example, dusting, vacuuming, and carrying heavy objects. Montessori students rarely learn from texts or workbooks. In all cases direct personal hands-on contact with either real things under study or with concrete models that bring abstract concept to life allow children to learn with much deeper understanding. They discover that when flowers are picked, the beauty eventually fades and no longer provided sustenance for a variety of insects. They learn to respect living organisms and experience joy in seeing something grow and blossom/bear fruits. Being outdoors is a very important component of the Montessori philosophy, what may look as mere child’s play to the untrained eye is a true learning experience to each participating student, interacting with one another, sharing digging tools, refining motors kills and experiencing cause and effect situations. We at the Montessori Academy strive to provide children aged 18-month trough to 12 years with a child-centered environment. The focus of activity is on children’s learning, not on teacher’s teaching. Ideally the environment should be designed to meet the needs, interests, abilities, and development of the children in the class. Generally students will work individually or in small, self-selected groups. In the Montessori program, children do not work for grades or external rewards. They learn because they are naturally interested in things, and because they have the desire to become competent and independent human beings. Montessori children enjoy considerable freedom of movement and choice, however their freedom always exists within carefully defined limits on the range of their behavior. They progress at their own pace, moving on to the next step in each area of learning, as they are ready. The classrooms are communities, organized into family groups of children from several age levels. As children grow older and more capable, they assume a greater role in helping to care for the environment and meet the needs of younger children in the class. For more information and/or a personal tour please contact us at 622-1166. PICTURES AND CAPTIONS: Picture ‘Before’ this area served merely as a walkway in the past Picture ‘After’ Our Montessori Academy Outdoor Classroom Picture Cruz Bartholomew; 4 years Table scrubbing purposes are three-fold: First, is helps the child feel secure and at ease in their surroundings. The second purpose is to offer the child possibility for gross and fine motor movement that can be refined. The third purpose is to develop the ability to concentrate. In turn this material leaves the child with a healthy self-esteem and a feeling of accomplishment. Picture from left Jemima Patterson and Lucy both 3 years The rice box assists in the development of the sense of touch through the texture of the rice, developing the arm, wrist and hand muscles, providing for creativity and imagination and it is relaxing for the child. Picture 4 year old Casa Dei Bambini student In the flower/butterfly and vegetable garden the children water and care for the plants independently.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:08:40 +0000
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