Early Childhood classrooms are divided into mixed-age groups of children, ages 3 to 6 years old. Classroom space is peaceful, and children are free to move about and choose to work with materials to which they have been introduced, either by the teacher or by an experienced peer. Materials or "works," as they are referred to in the Montessori classroom, are categorized into the five areas of learning. In addition, enrichment such as Spanish, music, art and physical education are offered to Early Childhood students.

Learn more about the Early Childhood Montessori Classroom from the American Montessori Society.

The 5 Areas of Learning

The Montessori classroom is arranged spatially and by content into 5 areas of learning. Dr. Montessori conceived of these 5 areas as interrelated facets of a child's total learning experience. Taken together, they encourage the child to prepare his or her whole intellect, body, and personality for a lifetime of learning.

Practical Life

This area is unique to the Montessori classroom and presents skills for independent, daily living.

Practical Life exercises provide opportunities to think sequentially, pay attention to detail, gain independence, refine coordination, enhance concentration, establish a sense of order and develop poise. These form the foundation for other learning areas, especially math and language. Furthermore, the children gain a sense of independence and self-discipline. These skills also help foster the children's development into responsible, caring, self-actualizing adults with the necessary tools to achieve life-long success.

Sensorial

Dr. Montessori designed sensorial materials to develop cognitive skills, and to help children classify and order their impressions by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, listening, and exploring the physical properties of their environment. She recognized that learning must be concrete before it can be abstract. These experiences will provide the necessary concentration to inspire the child's "mathematical mind."

Language

Language development is vital to all human development. The Montessori classroom is rich in oral language opportunities, allowing the child to experience conversation, poetry, and stories. It also provides them with tactile support for language and literacy acquisition.

For example, the children link sound to symbol--concrete to abstract--while tracing sandpaper letters with their fingers, following the natural progression of fine motor skills to written expression and the cognitive act of reading.

Mathematics

Mathematical activities help children learn and understand the concepts of math by manipulating concrete materials. The work helps children acquire a solid understanding of basic mathematical principles, including all four mathematical operations, place value into the thousands, as well as preparing their minds for later abstract reasoning.

Cultural

Dr. Montessori believed that children possess an instinctive curiosity about the outside world; therefore, she did not limit her curriculum to Language and Math. MPA students learn about the world around them through history, geography, geometry, botany, art, zoology, cultural subjects and the Spanish language.