The Montessori Method is a unique approach to helping children learn and grow. Our educational philosophy comes with a few specialized terms pertaining to courses, learning materials, and educational techniques. Whether you are a current parent or simply someone interested in learning more about the Montessori way, here are 20 words to know from the Montessori dictionary.
From infancy until age six, children go through a period of intense mental growth. This is when a child develops language and discovers the world spontaneously. Kids at this age are able to absorb information from their surrounding environment naturally and without much effort.
Meaning children’s house in Italian, was the name of the first school Maria Montessori opened in 1907. This school was located in the low-income district in Rome where Maria was born, and her philosophy has spread globally since its establishment.
Many Montessori lessons will help children explore sorting, categorizing, and other types of mathematical and scientific classification.
At Living Montessori, we apply the concrete to abstract philosophy to many of our lessons. This means that we build a foundation for your child’s understanding by starting with concrete concepts and then progressing to more abstract ideas. For example, in our math curriculum, students learn the decimal system through tactile work with beads and other objects.
The Montessori method helps children receive immediate feedback as they work. This approach, which helps children understand their successes and mistakes without adult assistance, builds their self-confidence and motivation.
This term refers to helping children learn how to move through the world and perform basic tasks. From holding a pencil to doing the flamingo pose, our programs help children control and explore movement.
The Montessori Method emphasizes cosmic education, offering lessons about the solar system, the galaxy, and Earth as it relates to the larger cosmos. This approach helps students comprehend the world around them and how the past has shaped it.
Didactic means intended to teach. We use didactic materials and a wide variety of learning tools to help children grasp various ideas and concepts.
In German, erkinder translates to child of the Earth. This philosophy drives our school day enrichment programs, which include organic gardening, living green, and outdoor learning programs. We believe children need to understand more than reading, writing, math, and science: They need to know how to cultivate and care for the world they live in.
This idea gives children the freedom to explore various ideas and activities in the classroom, but holds them accountable for taking care of their environment and being courteous to their peers.
Living Montessori does not only teach children to read and write; our curricula are built to help children be kind, responsible, and caring citizens. Children will learn social skills and manners, including saying please and thank you, learning how to be polite, and more.
Unlike many other education programs, Living Montessori combines a range of ages in one classroom. Children work on individual activities at their own pace, enabling collaboration and cooperation among various ages. Our classes include children ages three to six, six to nine, and nine to 12 years old.
These refer to the four periods of growth people go through as they age. Each stage of development builds upon the last. These four periods include:
Practical life activities teach children how to take care of their home, classroom, and immediate surroundings. This involves learning about hygiene, exploring empathy, and working independently to navigate real-life situations.
At Montessori schools, teachers prepare the learning environment with purpose and order, strategically shaping the classroom to best suit kids’ learning needs. This ranges from tactile materials to seating arrangements that are suited to individual and group work.
Children ages three to six (typically preschool- and kindergarten-aged children) will learn in our primary classrooms. In these classes, children will develop fundamental skills they can build upon throughout their education.
We use sensorial exercises to develop and hone the five senses. Children explore the world by seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, and tasting, and build foundations for concrete learning.
Montessori teachers take a simple to complex approach when presenting students with information. They start with an idea at its most simplistic level and build upon it once children understand the basics.
Our lessons are often shaped into three periods to best enable your children to learn. These three periods include:
First, teachers explain what something is and what it is called. For example, the teacher will tell the students, This is a square.
During this period, teachers ask children to share what they just learned. For example, students will have several shaped blocks in front of them and teachers will ask them which block is the square.
Recall is the final stage. Teachers ask students to recall what they learned from memory. We believe this method helps students fully understand and develop mastery of concepts in class.
Maria Montessori defined work as purposeful activity. Children explore work through purposeful activity of their own choice in order to learn and grow.
We hope that understanding a few of the words we use every day will help you get a better understanding of our approach and philosophy. To learn more about Living Montessori, visit our programs page, or contact us to schedule a tour!