Clarendon Montessori School

First Impressions (2½ to 3 year olds)

Nursery Section (3 to 5 year olds)

Our Curriculum

Using the methods of teaching developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, we aim to provide purposeful and stimulating early childhood activities, which enhance each child’s growth and development, we believe that the early years are the most important time for exploration and discovery; that children need opportunities to create, play, make friends, gain knowledge and learn whilst having fun.

At Clarendon Montessori School, we offer each child an atmosphere of warmth, understanding and a place to develop as an individual and as part of a group.

The nursery curriculum involves the following subjects and activities.

PRACTICAL LIFE:

Dressing frames (buckles, buttons, zippers, hooks, and laces), washing, polishing, sweeping, setting the table, etc. These are real life activities, which develop concentration, co-ordination, independence and care of self.

EXERCISES OF GRACE AND COURTESY:

These are group activities, which are designed to reinforce and encourage the children’s awareness of good manners at an early age - i.e. saying “Please”, “Thank you”, “Excuse me please”, “May I join you” and “Can I help you?”

SENSORIAL:

These activities are designed to refine the five senses and help guide the children in learning to discriminate, classify and compare, the materials include the pink tower, cylinder blocks, brown stair, the red rods, the smelling jars, colour tablets, baric tablets, temperature jugs, sound boxes and geometric solids. The sensorial materials teach the concepts of colour, weight, shape, texture, size, sound and smell.

LANGUAGE:

Since young children have a phenomenal ability to absorb language, every effort is made to give each child as much and as precise a vocabulary as possible. The process of absorbing, assimilating and expressing is encouraged whether individually or in-groups and 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. Each child works at his/her own pace and gradually, through practice, develops pre-writing, pre-reading, communication skills, reading, writing and listening skills on a daily basis.

MATHEMATICS:

Math’s materials are designed to give the child a sound understanding of numbers and their relationships. An idea is always introduced in a simple and sensorial way so that the child can see, hold and touch a number of concepts. Gradually the child is led to an abstract understanding. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, combinations, tables, squares and cubes are all available to the child when he or she is ready.

GEOGRAPHY:

Globes, maps, flags, land and water forms and country or continent topic weeks all introduce the child to the idea that he or she lives in a wide and wonderful world.

SCIENCE:

Following the child’s spontaneous interest and wonder, simple science experiments, the basic laws of light gravity, sound, magnetism and simple electrics are explored with the children.

BOTANY/NATURE:

In each classroom we have a nature table and the children are welcome to add to the classroom display of natural wonders and objects of interest. The botany materials include a cabinet and cards, which introduce the child to different types of leaves, flowers and trees and their parts. Books about nature, group discussions, botany jigsaws and materials are all designed to light a flame of interest in this vast subject.

MUSIC:

Rhythm instruments, percussion groups, singing and dancing help to promote an appreciation for music, develop large motor co-ordination and prepare the group for any further pursuit in musical training. At first impressions we have a wonderful collection of music from around the world and we introduce the pleasure of listening to and identifying with different types of music: classical, folk, jazz, traditional, etc.

ARTS/CRAFTS:

Painting, drawing, stencilling, collages and various levels of sewing are available every day. Art sessions give the children an opportunity to print; make simple objects, cards, models, etc. The art cards introduce the child to famous artists, their paintings and various styles in an interesting and fun way.

GYMNASTICS:

Development of gross motor and small motor skills is accomplished through individual and group activities both in the classroom and outdoors. Children naturally love to jump, hop, bounce, roll, climb, catch, balance, stretch, etc. and have an abundance of opportunity to do so under careful supervision.