![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/practical-life.jpg\")
<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675081484949{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Cultural<\/h3>\n
The Cultural Studies area of the classroom encompasses a variety of subjects that are supplementary to the Montessori method. Cultural subjects include: Geography, Science, Botany, Zoology, and Art & Music. Exploring these subjects provide children an opportunity to explore their curiosity of different worldly ideas. Studying Geography and Foreign Languages allows children the opportunity to understand the immensity of the planet as well as understanding their own culture and that of others.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675081504697{padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”]Children can relate and understand cultural diversity and ultimately come to appreciate differences between humankind and compassion for one another.<\/p>\n
The large wooden Puzzle Maps are one of the most popular activities in the classroom. Children can move each puzzle piece by grasping little knobs (thereby also developing their pincer grip to support writing later on). The introductory map of the world has a separate puzzle piece for each continent. Following a sensorial exploration of the puzzle map, they learn the names of the continents, countries within, their flags, languages etc.<\/p>\n
Science in the Montessori classroom allows the children to explore and work with hands-on experiments that will cultivate a lifelong interest in nature and discovering more about the physical properties of matter of our world, for example, the concepts of sink and float, magnetic and non-magnetic are taught through materials.<\/p>\n
Through the study of Botany, the children learn to identify plants through the shapes of leaves (what they look like, how to take care of them, how they grow, etc.) so that they may appreciate nature in a more organic way.<\/p>\n
The study of Zoology shows children animals from all around the world (where they live, their unique eco-systems, what they eat, how they\u2019re classified, etc.).<\/p>\n
Lastly, the study of Music allows the children a very unique opportunity to express themselves. Music is explored through The Bells, a Montessori material where the child develops and refines the auditory discrimination of pitch. Children progress from learning each note, to learning simple songs.<\/p>\n
Culture activities facilitate children’s cognitive, social and emotional development in a constructive way.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Mathematics” tab_id=”mathematicse32d-9d68″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1675083231175{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 3px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675083176133{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Mathematics<\/h3>\n
Math is all around us and, for a young child, words like \u201cmore, less, not enough, and share\u201d are part of daily life.\u00a0 Math is also inherently abstract.\u00a0 It is a language of precision that takes years to master, but at its core are the basic foundations all children need to learn counting, numeral identification, and basic mathematical operations.<\/p>\n
A Tactile Experience<\/strong><\/p>\nMontessori math materials create a tactile experience for the child.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/maths.jpg\")
<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675083183774{padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”]Manipulatives allow the child to use their sense of touch to grasp mathematical concepts of quantity. Materials are generally made of wood and are painted pleasing colours, when necessary. They have weight to them, which helps small hands and muscles understand that 1 is less than 10 and 1000 is more than 100. Smooth wooden rods and heavy cubes work to ensure that the child develops a concrete understanding of quantity.<\/p>\n
Some materials are made of glass. These shiny, glass beads appeal to the tiny fingers that will count them precisely and handle them carefully. From the youngest to the oldest child, the colourful glass beads hold their appeal through the years. Younger children use them for simple counting lessons: single units, teen numerals, and tens to one hundred.\u00a0 Older children have lessons on skip counting, addition, subtraction, and even square numbers and cubed numbers; all with the same shiny beads![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tour][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1675235405967{margin-top: -100px !important;padding-top: -50px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}” klb_responsive=”.vc_custom_1675235405967{margin-top: -100px !important;padding-top: -50px !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_custom_heading text=”The Montessori Method explained” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”mt-3″][vc_tta_tour controls_size=”sm” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”The Whole Child Approach” tab_id=”1675234968560-61234556-43bc” el_class=”teacher”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1566284468685{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 56px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675079043763{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
The Whole Child Approach<\/h3>\n
Montessori promotes the development of social skills, emotional growth and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation for future academics. The curriculum allows the child to experience the joy of learning and gives the child time to enjoy the process. This joy of learning\u00a0enhances\u00a0the development of self-esteem, and provides the experiences from which students\u00a0create their knowledge through self-directed learning.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/the-whole-child-approach.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The Prepared Environment” tab_id=”1675234968628-01f74f90-fb0f” el_class=”teacher”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1566284468685{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 56px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675082967968{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
The Prepared Environment<\/h3>\n
The environments of the Montessori classroom are like nothing else you see in schools. For self-directed learning to take place, the whole learning environment \u2013 classroom, materials and social setting \/ atmosphere \u2013 must support the child. The teacher provides the necessary resources, including opportunities for children to function in a safe and positive environment. Together, the teacher and child form a relationship based on trust and respect that fosters self-confidence and enables the children to explore and discover.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/prepared-enviro.jpg\")
<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The Montessori Materials” tab_id=”1675234968708-b9e6eed1-cdc4″ el_class=”teacher”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1566284468685{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 56px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675083009833{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
The Montessori Materials<\/h3>\n
Dr. Montessori observed the kinds of activities that children enjoy and return\u00a0to repeatedly, which led her to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential and self-correcting materials. The material\u00a0facilitates learning, which builds from the concrete and sensorial to the abstract.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/montessori-materials.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The Teacher” tab_id=”1675234968776-7872feed-b5c4″ el_class=”teacher”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1675083342508{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 3px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1673418591180{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
The Teacher<\/h3>\n
The Montessori teacher functions as a designer of the environment, resource person, role model, demonstrator, record-keeper and meticulous observer of each child\u2019s behaviour and growth. Extensive training is required for a full Montessori credential. It includes classroom practice teaching that\u2019s specialized for the age group the\u00a0teacher will work with, such as\u00a0infant and toddler; 3-6 year olds; 6-9 year olds; 9-12 year olds; and adolescents.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/the-teachers.jpg\")
<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Practical Life” tab_id=”1675234968841-88b8c259-25b7″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1675083329343{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 3px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675083321145{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Practical Life<\/h3>\n
Children are naturally interested in activities they have witnessed. Therefore, Dr Maria Montessori began using what she called \u201cPractical Life Exercises \u201cto allow the child to do activities of daily life and therefore adapt and orientate himself in his society.<\/p>\n
It is therefore the Directresses task to demonstrate the correct way of doing these Exercises in a way that allows the child to fully observe the movements. Montessori says, \u201cour task is to show how the action is done and the same time destroy the possibility of imitation\u201d.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/practical-life-2.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675083311313{padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”]A Child must develop his own way of doing these activities so that movements become real and not synthetic.<\/p>\n
During the child\u2019s sensitive period between birth and 6, the child is constructing the inner building blocks of his person. It is therefore important for the child to participate in activities to prepare him for his environment, that allow him to grow independently and use his motor skills, as well as allow the child to analyze difficulties he may have in the exercise and problem solve successfully.<\/p>\n
Montessori also saw the child\u2019s need for order, repetition, and succession in movements. Practical life exercises also help to aid the child to develop his coordination in movement, his balance, and his gracefulness in his environment as well as his need to develop the power of being silent.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Sensorial” tab_id=”1675234968919-dad6e68d-c4e4″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1566284468685{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 56px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675081298583{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Sensorial<\/h3>\n
The purpose and aim of Sensorial work is for the child to acquire clear, conscious, information and to be able to then make classifications in his environment. Montessori believed that sensorial experiences began at birth. Through his senses, the child studies his environment. Through this study, the child then begins to understand his environment. The child, to Montessori, is a \u201csensorial explorer\u201d. Through work with the sensorial materials, the child is given the keys to classifying the things around him, which leads to the child making his own experiences in his environment. Through the classification, the child is also offered the first steps in organizing his intelligence, which then leads to his adapting to his environment.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/sensorial-class.jpg\")
<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Language” tab_id=”1675234968984-13f80ea9-9020″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1675083281030{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675081389565{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Language<\/h3>\n
When the child arrives in the Montessori Classroom, he\/she has fully absorbed his culture\u2019s language and with their entry into the classroom, he\/she will begin to consolidate the spoken language and begin to explore the written forms of language.<\/p>\n
Because language is an important involvement in the process of thinking, the child will need to be spoken to and listened to often. The child will need a broad exposure to language, with correct articulation, enunciation, and punctuation.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
![\"img-fluid\"](\"https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/langauge.jpg\")
<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675081432805{padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”]The child will need to experience different modes of language and to hear and tell stories.Most importantly, the child needs to feel free and encouraged to communicate with others.<\/p>\n
With the child\u2019s absorbent mind, the child by age 6 will have reached the 3rd<\/sup> point of consciousness in language where he understands that sounds and words have meaning and that these symbols can be used in writing. He\/She will be able to express themselves in writing, he\/she will be able to read with ease and have full comprehension of the thoughts of others.<\/p>\nTo help the child is his\/her development in language, the Montessori classroom is designed to help the child reach the 3rd<\/sup> period of consciousness. Because the learning of language Is not done through subjects as in a normal classroom, the child is learning at his\/her own rhythm. This allows the child to concentrate on the learning of each important step in language so that each progressive step is done easily and without any thought on the part of the child. The special material also plays an important role in aiding the child to develop the powers of communication and expression, of organization and classification, and the development of thought.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Cultural” tab_id=”1675234969065-f8646da0-4057″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1675083267474{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 3px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675081484949{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\nCultural<\/h3>\n
The Cultural Studies area of the classroom encompasses a variety of subjects that are supplementary to the Montessori method. Cultural subjects include: Geography, Science, Botany, Zoology, and Art & Music. Exploring these subjects provide children an opportunity to explore their curiosity of different worldly ideas. Studying Geography and Foreign Languages allows children the opportunity to understand the immensity of the planet as well as understanding their own culture and that of others.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675081504697{padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”]Children can relate and understand cultural diversity and ultimately come to appreciate differences between humankind and compassion for one another.<\/p>\n
The large wooden Puzzle Maps are one of the most popular activities in the classroom. Children can move each puzzle piece by grasping little knobs (thereby also developing their pincer grip to support writing later on). The introductory map of the world has a separate puzzle piece for each continent. Following a sensorial exploration of the puzzle map, they learn the names of the continents, countries within, their flags, languages etc.<\/p>\n
Science in the Montessori classroom allows the children to explore and work with hands-on experiments that will cultivate a lifelong interest in nature and discovering more about the physical properties of matter of our world, for example, the concepts of sink and float, magnetic and non-magnetic are taught through materials.<\/p>\n
Through the study of Botany, the children learn to identify plants through the shapes of leaves (what they look like, how to take care of them, how they grow, etc.) so that they may appreciate nature in a more organic way.<\/p>\n
The study of Zoology shows children animals from all around the world (where they live, their unique eco-systems, what they eat, how they\u2019re classified, etc.).<\/p>\n
Lastly, the study of Music allows the children a very unique opportunity to express themselves. Music is explored through The Bells, a Montessori material where the child develops and refines the auditory discrimination of pitch. Children progress from learning each note, to learning simple songs.<\/p>\n
Culture activities facilitate children’s cognitive, social and emotional development in a constructive way.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Mathematics” tab_id=”1675234969140-2bdf6b97-2295″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1675083231175{padding-top: 56px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 3px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675083176133{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n
Mathematics<\/h3>\n
Math is all around us and, for a young child, words like \u201cmore, less, not enough, and share\u201d are part of daily life.\u00a0 Math is also inherently abstract.\u00a0 It is a language of precision that takes years to master, but at its core are the basic foundations all children need to learn counting, numeral identification, and basic mathematical operations.<\/p>\n
A Tactile Experience<\/strong><\/p>\nMontessori math materials create a tactile experience for the child.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″]
<\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1675083183774{padding-right: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”]Manipulatives allow the child to use their sense of touch to grasp mathematical concepts of quantity. Materials are generally made of wood and are painted pleasing colours, when necessary. They have weight to them, which helps small hands and muscles understand that 1 is less than 10 and 1000 is more than 100. Smooth wooden rods and heavy cubes work to ensure that the child develops a concrete understanding of quantity.<\/p>\n
Some materials are made of glass. These shiny, glass beads appeal to the tiny fingers that will count them precisely and handle them carefully. From the youngest to the oldest child, the colourful glass beads hold their appeal through the years. Younger children use them for simple counting lessons: single units, teen numerals, and tens to one hundred.\u00a0 Older children have lessons on skip counting, addition, subtraction, and even square numbers and cubed numbers; all with the same shiny beads![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tour][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1675077049519{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-color: #f5f5f5 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Daily Schedule” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”mt-3″][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”994″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
7AM
\n<\/strong>School Opens<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”999″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
7AM – 8AM
\n<\/strong>Freeplay<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”1000″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
8AM – 8:30AM
\n<\/strong>Breakfast<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”1003″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
9AM – 11AM
\n<\/strong>Work Period<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”1004″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
10:15AM
\n<\/strong>Snack<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1675074102118{padding-top: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”999″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
11AM – 11:30AM
\n<\/strong>Freeplay<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”1001″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
11:30AM – 12PM
\n<\/strong>Lunch<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”1002″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
12PM – 2PM
\n<\/strong>Nap Time<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”999″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
2PM – 5PM
\n<\/strong>Free Play<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/5″][vc_single_image image=”1004″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
3PM
\n<\/strong>Snack<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_speed_bg=”2.2″ css=”.vc_custom_1675081099207{padding-top: 90px !important;padding-bottom: 90px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/pddev.co.za\/littlecracker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/counter-section.jpg?id=1014) !important;}”][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-1 vc_col-lg-10 vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-10″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″]