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| Preschool Classes A Montessori classroom looks different than others because it is prepared for the convenience of the children rather than the teacher. It was this concept of specially designed child-centered spaces that led Dr. Montessori to call her first school a "children’s house", "Casa dei Bambini". The classes combine play and social skills with practical and academic achievements. The child is free to move within the classroom, working with any of the materials that she chooses as long as it lies within her understanding. Each class has 22-27 children, 1:9 adult/child ratio. An observer is struck by the wide range of activities for children 2.6 to 6 years. Individually, or in groups of two or three, children may draw, paint, assemble puzzles, play a sorting game, do a math exercise with a friend or join the teacher for a lesson. The children are encouraged to choose their own activities and to repeat the exercises until they have mastered them. The guide and the children teach others to care for the things in the classroom and to return materials to their places. Children are especially drawn to real activities such as buttoning, tying, pouring, scrubbing tables, sweeping, washing and slicing fruit to share as snacks. These tasks appeal to children because they are real things that adults do, and it gives the child a sense of accomplishment and sharing. All these exercises are preparation for the academic skills the child will acquire in the future. |
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Grand Lake Montessori 466 Chetwood Oakland, CA 94610 (510) 836-4313
© 2007 Grand Lake Montessori |
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