“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make them learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”
The Curriculum and materials in the Montessori environment are presented as keys to further independent activity and exploration. Their purpose is to initiate extended activity, which is the basis for the child’s own self-construction. It is important to remember that Montessori views the curriculum as a continuum; consequently, the materials of the various levels are interrelated.
At Cosmic Montessori School, we offer Montessori education for children ages three to six in the following format:
- English
- Dual Language, Spanish Full Immersion Program
Mathematics
“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.” – Maria Montessori
The Montessori math materials are called “materialized abstractions.” By manipulating concrete materials at the preschool level, the child internalizes concepts of numbers, symbols, sequences, the operations of the decimal system, and the memorization of basic facts. The materials allow the children to reveal arithmetic, geometric, and algebraic correlations simultaneously.
Science
“We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry” – Maria Montessori
Throughout the Montessori science curriculum, the young child discovers the richly varied way in which people meet the same basic needs in relation to differences in topography, climate, and natural resources. This study is expanded at the elementary level to explore the relationships among living and non-living elements. The science curriculum really allows the children to set a foundation for their future discoveries at the elementary level.
Language Arts
“All children pass through a period in which they can only pronounce syllables; then they pronounce whole words, and finally, they use to perfection all the rules of syntax and grammar.” – Maria Montessori
Language is interwoven throughout all aspects of the curriculum. Specific language activities include oral language, written expression, and reading. The preschool child builds upon oral language to discover the relationship between sound and symbol. This discovery enables the child to make his or her own thoughts visible (writing) and to decipher the thoughts of others (reading).
History
“The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child” -Maria Montessori
At the 3-6 level, there is a basic touch on natural history, timeline of life, and the change in migration. They further their knowledge later with evolution of human societies is examined as part of the whole unfolding of life on earth. This enables them to build a foundation that later they would expand on in the elementary program curriculum.
Geography
“The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life” -Maria Montessori
Through experience and explanation the children in the Montessori 3-6 environment learn about their physical world. They are able to analyze globes, draw out maps, and develop an understanding of continents and oceans. They make new discoveries about different food, culture, and customs of different regions, as well. They learn to really appreciate the different wonders found throughout the world.
Fine Arts
“We must help the child to act for themselves, will for themselves, think for themselves; this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit” -Maria Montessori
The arts are integrated into the daily life of the classroom. Fundamental techniques and concepts are presented in isolation to assist the child in developing a personal repertoire of skills. The children then use these skills to give expression to their own ideas and feelings to join with others in communal celebration and expression. Children are also introduced to a wide variety of artistic expression as well.
Outside Environment
“Early childhood education is the key to betterment of society” – Maria Montessori
The 3-6 program is full of wonderful, curious minds that are willing to learn about the world around them. To help fulfill their wonder we take them on few field trips a year. They occur in the fall, winter, and spring and usually has a connection to the material they are learning in the classroom. In addition, the Kindergarteners are granted two more field trips independent of the other children to connect with their peers and take on a little more challenging concepts. Some examples of past field trips include Naper Settlement, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, and The Morton Arboretum.