The materials in our classroom are divided into five main areas. Activity with these materials involves physical and mental action, linking body and mind.
1. Practical life exercises: such as pouring, grating, polishing, sorting washing, buttoning etc. Help the child learn to function in his own environment and preliminary to more advanced learning. The child develops an attention to details, a lengthened span of concentration through the successful completion of these basic exercises.
2. Sensorial activities: are designed to isolate and sharpen each of the five senses. Grading and comparing sounds, sizes, colors, textures and shapes help organize the impressions a child receives.
3. Language Materials: are presented individually to take advantage of the greatest interest on the part of the child. Children are taught the sound and formation of the letters. Kinesthetically through the use of sand-paper letters and similar materials. Word building activities of increasing difficulty are done over a long period of time.
4. Mathematical concepts: are presented through extensive use of concrete materials. The child’s sensorial training enables him/her to identify and differentiate the idea of quantity that is built into the Montessori materials. The child gains the conception of numbers and their application on arithmetical operations.
5. Geography, social study, botany, zoology, science, music and grammar are introduced through the use of concrete materials.