Montessori Classroom:
The Prepared Environment
Peeling a mandarin orange - Food Preparation
Care of the Environment - Practical Life
Dressing Frames - Practical Life
The word “community” comes from the Latin “communitas”, which means, “to put together.”
The Infant Community (IC) at Le Soleil Montessori School is a place where children and families come together to create a harmonious atmosphere from which a child’s development is created. Our classroom is a small community of children that come together, collaborate in everyday activities, building their skills and independence as they go. It is a place where children will fulfill their social and emotional needs, as well as stimulate their curiosity and their love for learning.
The design of the space is in line with Maria Montessori’s theory of human development and every decision made in regards to this unique program has been made with the child’s best interest in mind. The organization of the classroom allows children to move freely and easily access their work. The children are free to engage themselves in activities that interest them. They can spend as much time as needed in any activity.
The Montessori classroom can be divided into three main areas: Practical Life, Language, and Psychosensory Motor Development. In each area there are materials that foster concentration, co-ordination, and practical skills of all levels of abilities and development.
Practical Life: Exercises in this area include activities for Care of the Person, Care of the Environment, Food Preparation, and Grace and Courtesy. These exercises help the child build skills for daily living, as well as coordination, concentration, and good working habits. The child’s self-confidence and independence increase with each accomplishment. In practical life activities it is important to have clear, specific goals. Every activity a beginning, middle, and an end — for without these logical sequences, the child will be unable to follow the steps. Through these activities, the child will move his body in a different way that will help develop his intelligent movement.
2. Language: The activities of language in our IC environment are all reality based. What this means is that the way we introduce vocabulary is by using real life objects that the child can see, feel, and even sometimes taste! This allows the child to build her/his vocabulary based on sensory experiences and allows for higher word acquisition. This area also includes activities related to art, dance, and music. Many children in our IC have not yet developed their fluent speaking abilities, so they rely heavily on these activities for self-expression.
3. Psychosensory Motor Development: This area offers an exciting way for children to develop their mind and body connection. Activities in this area will help the child with fine and gross motor development as well as eye-hand coordination.