Early Childhood Montessori CurriculumMulti-age Classrooms and Three-year Cycle
Children in a Montessori setting typically remain in the same classroom for a three year cycle (i.e. from age 3-6 in Early Childhood, from age 6 to 9 in Lower Elementary, etc.). This gives their teachers the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of individual learning styles, interests, abilities and needs. This three-year cycle also provides continuity of learning as children rarely experience the “starting over” adjustment period that often occurs in other types of learning environments when they change teachers and classrooms each year.
Teacher as Guide
The teacher acts as a guide within the carefully prepared and dynamic Montessori classroom environment. Her focus is on intimately understanding the children and engaging them in the learning process. Every lesson is adapted to meet the particular needs, abilities and interests of the children.
The Classroom Environment
Free from noise, reprimand or competition, a Montessori classroom is a peaceful and joyful learning environment. Children learn through direct experience, investigation and discovery, which has proven to be much more effective than rote memorization. They work at a mastery level and are able to progress through the curriculum at their own pace. Children are considered ready for a lesson at the time that will be appropriate and engaging for them, not based on a teacher’s pre-determined schedule of lessons.
The Montessori curriculum is comprised of carefully defined multi-sensory and self-correcting materials that isolate and demonstrate one concept or skill at a time within a sequence that facilitates mastery of that particular concept or skill. The materials transform abstract concepts into clear and concrete form and lead to a deeper understanding of those concepts. For example, the trinomial cube provides elementary children with a tangible, concrete experience of an abstract algebraic concept.
The Outcome
The Montessori method develops critical thinking skills and allows time and space for children’s own ideas to come to fruition. Children are challenged to think, learn that their ideas matter and discover that they have a voice. They also learn how to work respectfully together and contribute their talents within a community.
Children develop a solid academic foundation and learn how to apply what they learn well beyond the classroom environment. They become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners who are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act with integrity. They develop the skills needed to succeed in today’s ever changing global society, as demonstrated by Montessori graduates such as Larry Paige and Sergey Brin (Google Founders), Jeff Bezos (Amazon CEO/Founder), Katherine Graham (former owner/editor of the Washington Post), Julia Child (chef and author) and Jimmy Wales (founder of Wikipedia).