Page 31 - waterfall Issue 12 2021

The guide/directress are enticed to reach them and Directress. However, this should not
Montessori teachers are called are thereby encouraged to work. be interpreted as ‘let kids do whatever
‘Directresses’ and sometimes ‘Guides’, Classrooms are typically minimalist, they want’. Just as the real world has
as they tend to guide and direct and everything is carefully organised, limits, so does a Montessori classroom.
rather than instruct. The Directress’ with each item having a specific As children get older and learn how
job is to observe the children and ‘link’ spot to nurture a sense of order. The to make appropriate choices, they
them to their environment through colours in the classroom are mostly are given more and more freedom.
individual lessons, which are given muted, and there is plenty of natural
at each child’s own unique pace. light to foster concentration. individualised Curriculum
Each of the children in a Montessori
experiential Learning subjects classroom is at a different academic
In a traditional school, students learn Montessori schools include level. Rather than focusing on group
by sitting at desks, listening to the mathematics, language, cultural lessons, the Directress gives one-
teacher talk and memorising facts. studies, practical life and sensorial on-one lessons, depending on the
Students at Montessori schools, activities. LittleHill Preschool provides child’s specific level and needs.
on the other hand, learn through an environment where learning
experiences. For example, children through the senses is cultivated both Peace education
work with specially designed inside and outside the classroom. There is a great emphasis on the
materials and begin by counting ‘Practical Life’ helps children learn importance of peace and community,
and adding concrete materials. skills used in everyday life, such as both in the classroom and in the
Next, they use wooden letters carefully pouring water, tying their world. Children learn the tools for
known as the moveable alphabet shoelaces, and cleaning a table. calming themselves and conducting
to learn to read and write. peaceful conflict resolution.
Freedom and independence
Prepared environment The schools believe that children uninterrupted Work Periods
A prepared environment simply learn better when they’re choosing Montessori schools have long,
means that the classroom is designed what to learn. For this reason, they uninterrupted work periods, which
with everything children need to are given more freedom than they generally last 2 - 3 hours, including all
explore and learn independently. would have at a traditional school. The subjects. This encourages children to
The shelves are low and filled with children decide where to sit and what reach intense concentration and to
beautiful objects so that children to work on, with guidance from the engage with the Montessori materials.

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