PRACTICAL LIFE EXERCISES
The exercises of Practical Life, which are the foundation of a Montessori environment, provide a sane and wholesome range of activities which allow your child to develop control and co-ordination of movement, awareness of his/her environment, good work habits, responsibility, concentration, attention, independence, order and positive self-image which can be attained by spontaneous and purposeful work.
SENSORIAL TRAINING
These are activities designed to reinforce the five senses to help guide the children in learning to discriminate, clarify and compare. Sensorial exercises help prepare for intellectual development in an orderly manner. The Sensorial materials introduce the concept of colour, weight, shape, texture, size, sound and smell in an enjoyable way and are great fun for the children. The Sensorial materials teach knowledge and understanding of the world, as well as lay a solid foundation for Mathematics, Geometry, Geography, Botany, Art and Music.
COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
- Young children have a phenomenal ability to absorb language. Every effort is made to give each child as much and precise vocabulary as possible. The process of absorbing, communicating and expressing is encouraged whether individually or in a group. This is a very important part of the Montessori curriculum.
- Sandpaper letters are used to introduce the sounds of the alphabet to the child when he/she is ready. In the Montessori prepared environment, children do not learn by heart, but utilises all their senses to help them read and write with proper understanding. Discovering language becomes interesting, fun and creative through activities in the Pink, Blue and Green.
- Montessori language series. Each child works at his/her own pace -gradually through daily practices, pre-writing, pre-reading, communication skills and reading.
MONTESSORI MATHEMATICS
Mathematics materials are designed to give the child a sound understanding of numbers and their relationship. Work is always introduced in a simple and sensorial way so that the child can see, hold and feel a number or concept and gradually be led to an abstract understanding. Children will learn numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, length, weight, capacity and problem solving.
CULTURAL SUBJECTS
The Montessori cultural subjects cover:
- Nature study
It includes the study of living and non-living things. Children will have the opportunity to explore and understand their environment.
- Botany and Zoology
Children are exposed to the study of plants and animals. They will be taught to classify impressions into clear and simple categories.
- Geography
To launch the child’s exploration of the world’s physical environment, children are introduced to the various continents, countries, states, land and water forms and the solar system.
- History
Through creative activities such as modelling, painting and collage, children are taught to understand the distinction between the past and present and how the past events have led to the present situation.
- Field trips
Excursions and field trips are planned to places such as the Zoo, the Bird Park, Botanic Garden, etc. These trips will give the children a chance to explore the outside world and learn new things while having fun.
- Creative Art
Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning to another, allowing him/her to extend his/her understanding. Children are encouraged to develop their imagination and ability to communicate and express ideas and feelings in creative ways through painting, colouring, collage, play dough, clay, etc. There are opportunities for the children to enjoy singing, music and storytelling. Through these guided activities, children are able to experience success and this in turn will boost their self esteem.
- Music and Movement
A music and movement programme that develops rhythm and co-ordination in your child. It is designed to nurture and refine your child’s musical abilities and help him/her use these abilities to express him/herself.
- Physical Development
Guided fitness that teaches age-appropriate exercises and healthy activities. Physical Development is about improving skills in coordination, manipulation and control. Physical development has two very important aspects: it helps children gain confidence in what they do and also enables them to feel the positive benefits of keeping healthy. Children naturally love to jump, hop, bounce, roll, climb, catch, balance and stretch and have the opportunity to do so here with careful supervision by our trained directress.
- Sand & Water Play
This area provides endless scope and opportunity. Sand and water play holds a sensory experience and encourages manipulative skill (e.g. pouring accurately). It also provides a soothing effect, promote concentration and leads to imaginative play. It provides an outlet for mathematical and scientific discoveries (e.g. volume, capacity, floating and sinking and weight). Sand and water play also give rich opportunities for language building.
- Outdoor Play Activities
Our programme provides for organised and free outdoor play within a variety of colourful and interactive play equipments. Besides these, there will be organised water and sand play.