Curriculum

Practical life exercises will help the child physically, intellectually and emotionally, as well as socially, spiritually, and helps encourage the development of fine and gross motor skills. These exercises are real activities such as threading, pouring, polishing to name just a few. The activities then enable the child to become independent and develop at their own pace. As a child develops his practical life skills, he will become more confident. This then will enable the child to do many things for himself without asking for help therefore his sense of self-worth becomes stronger and more positive.

"The control of movement and hand eye co-ordination".

(Maria Montessori)

The senses are a very important part of a child, they are what the child needs and uses to learn through, by using their sense of smell, hearing, touch, taste and sight. The materials within the sensorial area are all specially designed to aid the child with each of their senses. The experiences gained through the senses become embedded for life and aid the mathematical mind.

"The materials begin as concrete expressions of an idea".

(Maria Montessori)

Within the mathematic area of the classroom the Montessori materials allow the child to use concrete with the abstract, using materials such as number rods and cards and spindle box. These materials allow the child to be able to see the written symbol and place the quantity against it. Sandpaper numerals are also used to allow the child to see and feel the way the numeral is written.

"The materials progress from simple to more complex design and usage".

(Maria Montessori)

This area of the curriculum helps your child expand their language through songs, rhymes, discussions and books. Sandpaper Letters are used to allow the child to feel the way the letter is written to give a structured approach to phonic learning.

"...the metal insets complete the possibility for an explosion into writing".

(Maria Montessori)

This area introduces the child to the concepts of science, biology and history, giving them a greater understanding of our world. Globes puzzle maps, land and water forms, animals of the world, and a wide range of other materials allow the child to form a bridge between his/her knowledge of their immediate environment and the wider world.

"To satisfy his innate desire for learning".

(Maria Montessori)

The children have a cookery lesson twice a week in which they fully involved within the whole process from beginning to end, and are fully involved from peeling, chopping, whisking, kneading etc. This is a very popular activity and it allows the children the opportunity to try new skills and gives them a real sense of achievement, and of course some wonderful new taste experiences!

Once a week a teacher leads a dance class with the children. Not only is it a lot of fun but also it helps develop gross motor skills and co-ordination.

Bishops Waltham Montessori school has a wonderful outside area for the children to play and work. The children are able to grow vegetables keep pets, climb and run. In a Montessori School the outside area is as much used as the inside in all weathers, the children are not restricted to a certain time outside, they have the freedom to use the outside.