In practical life, the children will be participating in work that allows them to imitate adults

such as during water or dry beans, sweeping, weaving, and washing windows. Here, children

lengthen their concentration span by becoming absorbed in an activity, develop muscles and

perfect their hand-eye coordination in preparation for reading and writing, pay attention to

details while following a sequence of multi-step directions, and develop good work habits by

completing the work and putting away the material before moving on.

In Sensorial, the children will be working to manipulate and order the Pink Tower or Brown

Stair, pairing the Sound Cylinders, and grading the Color Tablets. Shelves of work choices allow

the children to distinguish categories and relate new information to what they have already

learned. This area is the beginning of conscious knowledge, according to Dr. Montessori, and it

happens when the intelligence works in a concentrated way on impressions given by the

senses.

In Mathematics, the children will be tracing sandpaper numbers, building equations with

Numeral Rods and number cards, matching numbers into the thousands to beads in the Bank

Game, and discovering the relationship of parts to whole with Fraction Spindles. Dr. Montessori

found that those who have access to mathematical equipment in their early hears will easily and

joyfully learn to assimilate many arithmetic facts and skills because they experience the

concrete (manipulative) before the abstract (paper and pencil) is expected.

In Language, the children will be matching sandpaper letters to objects, building words and

stories with the Moveable Alphabet, matching pictures and words from 3-part Cards,

participating in name tracing, creating designs using the Metal Insets, and relaxing in

comfortable chairs reading specifically designed books. Dr. Montessori’s word that led her to

determine the best approach was to first use the concrete then move to the abstract in order to

accomplish the ultimate goals of reading and putting thoughts in print (writing) is abundantly

evident.

Identifying continents and countries through large wooden puzzle maps and making land

formation are highlights in the study of Geography. Botany and Zoology work is conducted

using materials such as the Leaf Cabinet and Parts of a Fish puzzles. An appreciation for Art is

encouraged by studying famous artists and the children have opportunities to create using a

variety of media.