Mo's Montessori

Curriculum Statement www.mosmontessori.ie | 15 key monTessori PoinTs Each child is unique but shares with all other children universally common developmental interests. The child under six years is gifted with a mind capable of absorbing and learning without effort. It is vital that they be exposed to as many worthwhile areas of learning and culture as possible during this time. The Montessori Method applies the fundamental principles of nature to the education of the children. Children's periods of readiness to learn should be recognised and utililised to the fullness of their potential. A child's most important instrument of learning is movement especially that of the hands. At all times and particularly in the classroom a child must be given the opportunity for meaningful activity. Through repeated exercises that demand a mental effort a child's will is strengthened leading to self-discipline and preparing him/her for intellectual development. The Montessori Teacher prepares the classroom environment. It must be very orderly and homely rather than academic. The teacher must observe the children closely in order to understand their stage of development so they she can demonstrate the appropriate activities. The liberty of the child in the classrooms is one of the fundamental principles of the Montessori Method. It is a freedom with limits. Once the child has been shown activities they are then free to choose what they want to work with. The small ones in the beginning are less free as they must be shown everything and helped a great deal. The activities encourage movement about the classroom. The freedom to choose one's own work quickly leads to order, harmony, self-development and therefore to self-discipline. The 4 main themes of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework; well-being, identity & belonging, communication and exploring & thinking, harmonise with the aims of Montessori teaching.

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