Montessori curriculum has flitted around me for as long as I can remember. Growing up, long before Instagram reels and viral Tik Tok vids provided bite-sized activity inspiration for us parents, my incredibly creative mom had my siblings and I doing experiential learning; we did leaf rubbings, we crafted, and we explored. She would have (still would!) made an extraordinary school teacher I’ve always thought. She taught me that the opportunity to learn is everywhere.
On the other hand, pandemic learning taught me that I don’t have a clue as far as how to “teach.”. Reading, math… I was out of my comfort zone as soon as my daughter’s teacher sent home a sheet on “C-V-C” words. Three years on, this lingo isn’t nearly as daunting as it was initially, though this does provide a nice segue into my Montessori exploration. CVC stands for consonant — vowel — consonant and is one of the first steps into reading.
For any not familiar with it, Montessori education is a method of education that is based on hands-on learning, self-directed activity, and collaborative play. In a Montessori classroom setting, teachers provide children with age-appropriate activities. Children are also given the freedom to make creative choices in their learning.
My oldest is in third grade now and with a six year old and two, 2 1/2 year olds quickly following behind, I am recognizing that I need to step up our at-home learning a bit. I had a hands-off approach after my pandemic experience with one kiddo in remote kindergarten, but as the third grade multiplication homework has started to ramp up and my daughter and I struggle to solve basic word problems together, I’m recognizing some foundational level math gaps that need to be addressed immediately.
I actually toured a local Montessori classroom over the summer when I was looking for some fall programs for the boys. It was incredibly impressive but also incredibly out of our budget. Since then, I’ve watched so many YouTube videos about the benefits of Montessori education, the depth of math knowledge developed and always an emphasis on the materials frequently used to teach “Montessori Maths,” but I have yet to find a resource that clearly explains *where and how to start* which is why I’m writing this blog pot.
It doesn’t seem that there is any accessible, free resource that explains how to provide a Montessori education to children so I’m going to create one and share as I go.
Here’s what I have learned so far:
There is a huge focus on something called “Preliminary Activities” or “Preliminary Exercises,” where children learn the basic movements of all societies, such as pouring, folding and carrying. Care of Self incorporates activities connected with personal care and the maintenance involved in everyday life, such as washing hands, and getting dressed.
There are also Preliminary Activies in Mathamatics.
- Awareness of cardinal numbers one, two, three…etc.
- Awareness of ordinal numbers. First, second, third…
- Awareness of numerals.
- One to one correspondence.
- Sequencing: All counting is sequencing in some way. *Note: rote counting is the ability to say numbers in sequence with no related objects.
What do first graders learn in Montessori?
The Montessori kindergarten and first grade classroom is comprised of five distinct areas: practical life, sensorial, cultural, math, and language.
Some of the resources I have found useful include:
This Wikipedia Montessori Activities page
This YouTube channel called Hazie & Motherhood, which is devoted to Montessori learning
Susan Jones Teaching, My 3 Favorite Montessori Math Tools YouTube video
I’m going to start to work with Caroline using some of the tools Susan mentioned above and continue to look into a curriculm to follow for both her and the boys. I’m hoping that Emilia’s interest will be piqued enough that I’ll be able to fold her in as I’m teaching the others. Wish me luck!
Married with Style 