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You are here: Home / Primary Newsletter / The Importance of Montessori Materials

January 27, 2021

The Importance of Montessori Materials

Scrubbing work is an activity aimed at helping the child achieve independence.

The Primary Montessori environment is “sensory rich,” with beautiful objects for the child to touch, see and explore. These carefully designed didactic materials are aimed at not just teaching, but, most importantly, aiding the child toward functional independence. Children who are functionally independent are happy, well-adjusted children, who can think for themselves, do for themselves and are disciplined enough to understand the consequences of their actions.

“Except when he has regressive tendencies, the child’s nature is to aim directly and energetically at functional independence.” (Montessori)

Daily living activities, such as polishing, scrubbing, sweeping and picking up snack crumbs, are all aimed toward aiding the child’s independence. As the child diligently “cleans,” the teacher can observe the child’s incredible concentration, involving order, precision and detail. The end result of this intense work is self-mastery. The child now feels rewarded for his accomplishments, which he was able to achieve “all by himself,” with little, if any, help from the adult.

“… because the adult who unnecessarily helps the child, only becomes an obstacle for his development.” (Montessori)

A Primary student works with a practical life activity.

Classroom happenings

We are back to work full swing after our long holiday break! The younger children have been engaged in lots of scrubbing of tables and artwork. These lessons help them develop both their fine- and gross-motor skills, as well as strengthen their concentration levels. All of this early work is so important, as preparation for the more academic areas of the classroom.

The older 5-and 6-year-old children are now beginning to read and calculate, and they are truly expressing their love of learning by freely choosing to repeat these exercises daily. It is so much fun to observe their joy when they experience self-mastery!

Upcoming Dates

Feb. 11: Parent Education Zoom meeting
Feb. 12: Teacher Planning Day/No School
Feb. 15: Presidents Day/No School

By Kathy Graham / Filed Under: Primary Newsletter, Primary Program Leave a Comment

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About Kathy Graham

It was in Chicago, Illinois, where Kathy Graham first experienced a Montessori Classroom. After only a short period of time, through her internship at a local Montessori School, she became increasingly aware of her profound calling as a Montessori Teacher. She knew this was a special place and fell in love with the Montessori Method of Education. Since then, Graham has established herself as a strong advocate of creating beautiful environments inside the school and in her world of life. For over thirty six years now, she continues to conduct herself as an extraordinary model in these ways: a Montessori parent; Montessori Teacher; founder/director of the very first Montessori School in Jacksonville, Florida; mentor; friend; and her newest blessing, grandparent. Graham say’s “Montessori gives a feeling of hope for a better world because of what we give our children, the future leaders of tomorrow.”

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