Pedagogía Montessori

“La esencia de la Educación Montessori, es ayudar al niño en su desarrollo y ayudarlo a adaptarse a cualquier condición que el presente le requiere”

María MontessoriEducadora, pedagoga, científica, médica, psiquiatra, filósofa, antropóloga, bióloga, psicóloga, feminista y humanista italiana.

 

La metodología Montessori se sostiene
sobre los siguientes ejes:

La mente absorbente de los nños Los períodos sensibles La autonomía de los niños  El ambiente preparado El papel del adulto/guía.

Vida práctica

“Cuando un niño se siente seguro de sí mismo, deja de buscar aprobación en cada paso que da”

María Montessori

En esta área las experiencias prácticas de la vida cotidiana con las que el niño empezará a desarrollar su autonomía tanto física como psíquica, le ayudarán a desenvolverse de manera independiente a través de actividades de cuidado propio y del espacio.

Cultura

“Tocar al niño es el punto más delicado y vital, donde todo puede decidirse y renovarse, donde todo está lleno de vida, donde se hallan encerrados los secretos del alma. Por ahí se elabora la educación del hombre del mañana”

María Montessori

Es un espacio para el desarrollo artístico libre en el que disponen de diversas técnicas de expresión plástica. Reflejan éste enfoque en la estética y en una experiencia sensorial rica.

Vida sensorial

“El niño que tiene libertad y oportunidad de usar su mano en una forma lógica con consecuencias, usando elementos reales, desarrolla una fuerte personalidad”

María Montessori

Partimos del conocimiento en el que el niño empieza a ordenar o a clasificar por medio de la exploración manual de materiales; dichos materiales son sencillos para que el niño pueda manipularlos fácilmente.

El lenguaje

“Los aspectos motrices en relación con la inteligencia son el lenguaje y la actividad de la mano, los cuales se ponen a su disposición para realizar el trabajo”

María Montessori

Disponen de materiales manipulativos que les ayudan a adquirir un nuevo vocabulario en base a las temáticas y al  interés de los niños complementada con un área de lectura.
Respecto a la escritura se logra mediante el uso de diversos materiales como: insertos de metal, letras de madera, letras de lija, abecedario móvil.

Matemáticas

“La mejor enseñanza es la que utiliza el menor número de palabras necesarias para la tarea”

María Montessori

El pensamiento matemático se genera en muchas actividades aparentemente no relacionadas.
El niño explora y compara las semejanzas y diferencias, examina las relaciones espaciales estableciendo pautas de relación con los materiales sensoriales.
Todos los materiales Montessori pasan de lo concreto y conocido a lo abstracto y desconocido, enfocando una dificultad. Los materiales de matemáticas son las manifestaciones físicas de conceptos abstractos.

Pedagogía Montessori para niños de entre 6 y 12 meses

La pedagogía Montessori es para muchas personas todo un referente en la crianza de los más pequeños. Si bien es cierto que hay quien no termina de aceptar muchas de sus ideas, como puede ser la autonomía y la libertad del niño a la hora de aprender, no deja de ser un enfoque del cual, podemos aprender grandes cosas.
El enfoque que nos dejó Maria Montessori desde su propia experiencia como médico, pedagoga y experta en el mundo del niño, nos viene muy bien por ejemplo para aprender determinadas pautas en el día a día con bebés de entre 6 y 12 años. Cada cual es libre de asumirlos o no, pero desde luego, no deja de ser una perspectiva en la cual, podemos educar niños más autónomos, capaces y felices. Vale pues la pena tenerlo en cuenta, y desde “Madres hoy” te invitamos a que lo descubras.

Pedagogía Montessori: bases desde las cuales educar a nuestros niños

Puedes leer muchos libros sobre pedagogía y crianza infantil. Educar y vivir la maternidad es una aventura que no solo nos sirve para educar a nuestros niños, también nos sirve a nosotras para enriquecernos como madres.
Tener siempre en cuenta la pedagogía Montessori en el día a día nos va a permitir relacionarnos con nuestros niños de una forma más íntima, divertida y plena de la cual vas a disfrutar. Los ejes básicos que nos dejó María Montessori desde su famosa “pedagogía de la libertad”, puede resumirse en estos ámbitos:

• El cerebro de los niños es increíblemente plástico y ávido de aprendizajes. Esto es algo que todas sabemos. El cerebro de los bebés está ávido de aprendizajes, de experiencias, ahí donde cualquier estímulo va ayudarles a crecer y a formarse como personas.  l
• Debemos poner atención a los llamados “periodos sensibles”: es importante recordar que desde que los niños nacen hasta llegados los 6 años, van a experimentar la fase más intensa en su desarrollo. Son periodos en los que van a ser mucho más receptivos, y donde tu ayuda como madre es imprescindible.
• El ambiente diseñado: como ya sabes, todo estímulo supone una unión neuronal en el cerebro del niño, y por tanto un aprendizaje que se integra. Es por ello que sería muy adecuado disponer de un entorno diseñado para propiciar una mayor estimulación en el niño. 
• Tu papel como guía en el día a día de tu hijo es indispensable: eres parte de la vida y del crecimiento de tu hijo. Lo más importante es propiciar en el día a día la madurez y la independencia del niño, y tú eres su facilitadora, su mejor guía.

Cómo preparar el mejor ambiente para el aprendizaje en tus hijos

Puede que lo primero que hayas pensado al leer esto es… ¿Pero cuánto dinero me va a costar? No te asustes, adaptar la casa para enriquecer el crecimiento de los bebés requiere más imaginación que desembolso económico.
La premisa básica es ofrecer el mayor tipo de estímulos al bebé siempre de la forma más segura posible, evitándole todo tipo de riesgos. Para ello, ten en cuenta los siguientes consejos:

• Los juguetes y las pertenencias del bebé deben estar siempre accesible a su altura.
• El orden es indispensable. Debemos preocuparnos cada día de que todo esté en su sitio, y una vez se termina de jugar, debemos ayudar al niño a que guarde el juguete o que nos vea cómo lo hacemos.
• Permite que esté presente en tus tareas. Si estás limpiando favorece que toque esa escoba, si estás cocinando deja que huela los alimentos, adviértele de los riesgos, enséñale cómo lo haces.
• Sería interesante que o bien en el salón de la casa o en su propia habitación, pongas una gran manta o alfombra como espacio de actividad básica. Aquí situamos los objetos estímulo y sus juguetes.

Los mejores juegos cotidianos según la pedagogía Montessori

No importa si tus hijos tiene diferentes edades. Según la pedagogía Montessori los niños de diferentes edades pueden enriquecerse entre sí, adquieren responsabilidades y aprenden. No temas colocar a tu bebé en compañía de tus hijos mayores. La experiencia será muy bonita.

El cajón de los tesoros

En la casa tendremos siempre nuestro cajón de tesoros. Puede ser una simple caja donde cada día pondremos estímulos nuevos que los niños deben descubrir:

• Opta por objetos que sean estimulantes y con colores intensos.
• Evita el plástico, siempre será mejor la madera, la tela…
• Deben ser objetos que estimulen la coordinación mano-ojo
• Puedes poner alimentos, como manzanas, trozos de pan, para que así experimenten nuevos sabores.

Jugamos al escondite para favorecer la comunicación

Una idea estupenda del método Montessori para estimular la atención, el lenguaje y el descubrimiento del bebé, es jugar al escondite. 

• Podemos esconderles en esa alfombra o manta donde el niño está situado, algún juguete. Pregúntale donde está, estimúlalo con palabras y gestos.
• Dependiendo de su edad, pondremos un grado más de dificultad. La idea es siempre incentivar su curiosidad, su autonomía a la hora de buscar y su comunicación con nosotros.

Títeres y marionetas

Seguro que tienes más de una en casa. Los títeres y las marionetas son una forma maravillosa de relacionarnos con nuestros bebés para conseguir todas estas dimensiones:

• Captar su atención
• Incentivar su lenguaje
• Potenciar su imaginación cuando ya han adquirido las competencias comunicativas. La idea sería invitarles a crear historias, situaciones, diálogos.
• Mejoramos la relación con nuestros hijos.

Juegos relacionados con la vida práctica

Para enseñarles a los niños la necesidad de ser responsables y maduros, una buena idea es fomentar el juego relacionado con la vida práctica.

• No se trata en absoluto de ponerlos ya a cocinar o a cambiar la rueda de un coche. Nunca deben perder la sensación de que están jugando, la importancia es que se sientan libres “jugando a ser mayores”.
• Ofréceles una escoba menuda y deja que barran bolas, canicas o muñecos. Se trata de jugar pero adquiriendo competencias prácticas.
• Deja que entren contigo a la cocina y que preparen por ejemplo una ensalada o un pastel sencillo. No pasa nada si el resultado no sirve para comer, deja que interactúen con las texturas, olores y sabores. Que disfruten jugando a ser adultos.

La idea básica es que vean el mundo del adulto como algo familiar. Y para ser maduros e independientes debemos permitirles explorar, probar, tocar… Lo importante es que tú seas el guía en todo momento y que favorezcas su movilidad y sus ansias por experimentar.
Mientras todo el ambiente del hogar esté controlado y no existan riesgos estaremos seguros. A partir de ahí nuestra misión es la de guiar sin sancionar. No seas esa madre que comete siempre los siguientes errores:

• Hacerles la vida fácil recogiendo sus juguetes, haciendo sus tareas por ellos.
• Impidiendo que hagan esto y lo otro por temor a que ocurran determinadas cosas. La sobreprotección exagerada da al mundo niños inseguros. No pasa nada si se les cae ese vaso de agua, si se ensucian con esa planta que quieren oler.

Permite que corran, que se ensucien, que se caigan y se levanten. La vida es experimentar y aprender a través del juego para que las obligaciones que vengan el día de mañana, se vean como algo normal. Disfruta de esta experiencia y no dudes en probar la pedagogía Montessori.

6 Ways to Benefit from Montessori’s Wisdom this Summer

Can you believe it–it’s almost summer! Whoa! Where did the school year go? Are you a parent wondering how you’ll keep all the wonderful benefits of your child’s Montessori education going once school is out? Never fear! The Montessori method is just as applicable at home as it is in the classroom. Here are six ways that you and your child can benefit from Maria Montessori’s wisdom this summer:

1. “Follow the Child”

“Follow the child, they will show you what they need to do, what they need to develop in themselves and what area they need to be challenged in. The aim of the children who persevere in their work with an object is certainly not to “learn”; they are drawn to it by the needs of their inner life, which must be recognized and developed by its means.” ~ Maria Montessori.

The concept of following the child is a key principle of the Montessori Method. What we mean by this, is that whenever possible, take the time to observe your child just doing his thing. Take note of what interests him most, what is he drawn toward doing or learning, what does he seem to need to do (sometimes over and over)? Now give him the opportunity to (safely) pursue these interests. Following the child means giving your child the freedom to choose his activities/toys/materials based on what his inner developmental needs are driving him to seek out. Then hang back a bit, watch what he does without interrupting. Sometimes the best thing you can do to aid in your child’s development, is stay out of his way.

2. Let the “Prepared Environment” be the Teacher

“…we know that development results from activity. The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiences.” ~ Maria Montessori

Another key principle behind the Montessori method is what Montessori called the “prepared environment.” When you prepare the environment in a way that enables your child to do for herself, the environment (rather than you) becomes the teacher. Now your child can follow her own inner teacher.
An important piece of the well-prepared environment is that it should be self-correcting. This means that you, the parent, won’t have to tell your child when she has done something right or wrong. Your child can see for herself, for example, when she has poured a glass of water from a pitcher without spilling. If she does spill, refrain from correcting her. Allow her to clean up the spilled water and try again…and again until she masters the skill. Do not force the issue either. If she is experiencing a developmental need to learn how to pour, she will want to work at it. But if she shows no interest, move on to something else. Again, follow your child to see what she is naturally inclined to do (safely).

3. Let Nature be your Guide

“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature, to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature… so that the child may better understand and participate in the marvelous things which civilization creates.” ~ Maria Montessori

Summer is the ideal time to let the great outdoors become your child’s learning environment. Maria Montessori encouraged learning from nature; children develop their senses, coordination, and so much more through interactions with nature. If possible, get outside with your child every day– even when it’s raining. Take walks together, letting your child set the pace. Stop and take notice of your surroundings then talk about what you see/ hear/ smell/ etc. Let your child have her own place (could just be a flowerpot) to grow things. Start a “nature collection,” such as rocks, flowers, or leaves.

4. Get Practical

“The reaction of the children may be described as a ’burst of independence’ of all unnecessary assistance that suppresses their activity and prevents them from demonstrating their own capacities. It is just these ’independent’ children of ours who learn to write at the age of four and a half years, who learn to read spontaneously, and who amaze everyone by their progress in arithmetic. These children seem to be precocious in their intellectual development and they demonstrate that while working harder than other children they do so without tiring themselves. These children reveal to us the most vital need of their development, saying: ‘Help me to do it alone!'” ~ Maria Montessori

Practical life lessons are some of the most important of all the Montessori principles and–bonus–are easily carried over from school to home. Practical life lessons give your child an opportunity to develop his sense of order, coordination of movement, concentration, and independence. And they are as simple as involving your child in everyday tasks around the house. Here is a sampling of tried-and-true Montessori practical life activities appropriate for children as young as 2½ years old:

• Dressing
• Tying shoes
• Buttons, buckles, snaps
• Hair-brushing/ braiding
• Hygiene
• Brushing teeth
• Washing hands
• Cleaning fingernails
• Blowing nose
• Hanging coat
• Putting lessons/toys/etc. away
• Folding
• Dusting
• Polishing (shoes, mirrors, etc.)
• Sweeping
• Clearing/washing dishes
• Wiping tables
• Opening boxes/jars/bottles/bags
• Tweezing small objects such as beans
• Spooning beans from one bowl to another
• Pouring/funneling grain from one vessel to another
• Pouring/funneling water from pitcher to glass
• Sponge squeezing
• Using tongs
• Using a dropper
• Using clothes clips

5. Be Sensational

“The training and sharpening of the senses has the obvious advantage of enlarging the field of perception and of offering an ever-more solid foundation for intellectual growth. The intellect builds up its store of practical ideas through contact with and exploration of the environment….” ~Maria Montessori

Sensorial activities are another necessary component of the Montessori Method. Your child needs an abundance of sensory information to build the neurological connections that are essential to human intelligence. This is one of the most natural and integral ways in which human beings learn and develop. Sensorial development is the foundation on which your child will build her own intelligence. Fortunately, it isn’t hard to come up with your own sensory materials and activities. Learning materials should help you child learn concepts like color, shape, texture, temperature, weight, volume, tone, fragrance and flavor.

6. Read! Read! Read!

“The secret of success is found to lie in the right use of imagination in awakening interest, and the stimulation of seeds of interest already sown by attractive literary and pictorial material….” ~ Maria Montessori

Studies have consistently shown that children that grow up in “reading families” are more academically successful. Establish read-aloud routines at home. Make it part of your daily activities to enjoy reading aloud to your children, even if it’s only for 5-10 minutes at a time. Reverse the role with older children and let them read aloud to you. Don’t forget to keep yourself reading too. Children that see their parents reading are more likely to think of reading as a fun activity.
If you want to ensure that your child is learning to write and read, come join Age of Montessori’s Learn to Teach Reading and Writing the Montessori Way.
What You Learn in the Early Reading and Writing Course:

• How children are naturally ready to learn to read before 1st grade!
• Creating a learning environment – simply and easily
• How to work through reading and writing problems
• Games that make reading and writing fun
• Everything you need to understand how a child learns to read and write

How Much Freedom, How Much Discipline

“Maria Montessori’s premise is that liberty and discipline are two sides of the same coin; you can’t have one without the other.” – Mary Ellen Maunz, M.Ed.

What You Learn in the How Much Freedom, How Much Discipline Course:

“How much freedom versus how much discipline?” is a question that every parent and every teacher struggles with. The insights that Maria Montessori brings this dilemma is both unexpected and helpful. This online course explores what liberty within limits really means to a child.
Learn how the lack of liberty may ultimately be the root cause of many discipline problems! Find practical suggestions about setting reasonable limits and learning to recognize those times when you need to step back and not intervene in a child’s activities.
2 Week Course Topics

• Freedom with Limits / Gentle Discipline
• What Obedience is Really About
• Setting Reasonable Limits
• Obedience and its Stages
• Dealing with Repetitive Problems
• Freedom and Discipline: Tools for Your Children

5 Ways to Raise Confident Kids

As parents, we want our children to have solid self-esteem to build on as they grow up and face the choices and challenges of becoming healthy, happy, fulfilled adults. Self-confidence is an essential ingredient in the recipe for a rewarding life. The Montessori Method is especially mindful of your child’s developing self-esteem and its ultimate connection to academic, social, and emotional abilities. Here are five ways to help your children find their own self-confidence:

1) Embrace Differences

Your child is unique and that’s a beautiful thing…even if it doesn’t always feel that way. At times, our children’s differences can feel so…well…different, that we parents struggle to accept them. Perhaps your child really loves upside-down basket weaving or is enthralled with collecting crawly bugs–alas, sometimes it’s best to push aside our preferences and allow the child to pursue her own. (And there is always the possibility she’ll satisfy her curious curiosities and move on to something else.) As a general rule, people who are allowed to pursue their true interests are far more likely to have a solid sense of self.

We must recognize that he [the child] is more than just our progeny, more than just a creature who is our greatest responsibility. We must study him not as a dependent creature, but as an independent person.… ~ Maria Montessori

2) Encourage Decision-Making

We want our children to make smart (and safe) decisions, especially in their teen and early adult years. So start fostering their decision-making skills now. Instead of telling him what to do, involve your child in dialog about why we do the things we do. For example, instead of just saying, “pick up those toys,” ask your child why it is a good idea to pick up our things: so they don’t get broken, so no one trips and gets hurt, etc. This gives the child the opportunity to arrive at the “right” conclusion on his own which teaches him how to think, not what to think.

3) Demonstrate Kindness

One of the best ways to help your child to feel good about herself is to teach her to help others. According to this Harvard Report, “Parents who don’t prioritize their children caring for others can deprive them of the chance to develop fundamental relationship skills, and strong relationships are one of our most vital and durable sources of well-being.” In other words, the best way to feel good is to do good. Show empathy and compassion toward others, and help your child understand that she is not the only person on this planet. Think about how good you felt the last time that you helped someone out. Now don’t you want to show your child this sure-fire way to a positive self-esteem?

4) Acknowledge Emotions

Resist the temptation to dismiss your child’s emotions—no matter how trivial they seem to you. All emotions are valid. And all emotional experiences are real. Instead of judging your child’s displays of emotion, strive to help him understand what it is he’s feeling. Talk about the various different emotions and try not to label them as bad or good. Allow your child to talk about his feelings openly and don’t shame him for his emotional reactions. Accepting that all emotions are real–whether we like them or not—is an important step toward self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Joy, feeling one’s own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul. ~ Maria Montessori

5) Stay Strong

Acknowledging your child’s emotions is not the same thing as giving in to temper tantrums. When your child is in the midst of a meltdown, she feels out of control, maybe even frightened, by the strength of her own feelings. She needs you to make her feel safe, secure, and back in control. You can do this by staying calm and sticking to your rules and boundaries. Though it may sometimes feel like giving in is the kinder thing to do, remind yourself that a firm hug feels much more reassuring than a loose grip.

She must help these tiny beings, who are scampering downhill towards a precipice, to turn about and climb again. She must call to them, wake them up, by her voice and thought. A vigorous and firm call is the only true act of kindness towards these little minds.… ~ Maria Montessori

Parents, don’t miss your child’s opportunities for growth – Release your child’s full potential!

Age of Montessori Online Courses

6-Week Online Courses: professional development courses for teachers and parents

• Early Childhood Development
• Early Childhood Mathematical Mind
• Early Reading and Writing

Ready, Set, Bake!: Food and the Primary Community

Each morning, children in the Primary classroom help prepare snack for their classmates. At the end of the work period, they prepare the
classroom for lunch by setting out placemats, napkins, and utensils. After sharing a meal and polite conversation, the children select jobs to clean the classroom after lunch. These are the moments that are integrated into the day of a Primary child, but they are not the only times in which these young children invest their time in the Grace and Courtesy of eating together. Children opt to create flower arrangements as they sip the tea they prepared, or they create place cards when they invite a friend to join them fora snack. They spend their work period preparing granola or apple tartlets for others to enjoy. Though of course these children are motivated by the delicious result of their efforts, they also do all of this to practice the ways of moving through the world as a social being.

Since your Primary child operates with a do-it-myself mentality, think of ways to make your kitchen accessible. Arrange the kitchen so that small cutting boards, plates, or cups are in low drawers for your child to reach independently. Consider ways your child can help prepare meals without constant adult assistance. Chopping vegetables with child-sized choppers, mixing batters on low tables, or setting the table with those items placed in lower shelves may be just the way your child wants to help. And, of course, involve your child in the cleanup process, too!

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Little Darling, Stir It Up: Food and the Young Children’s Community

Children in both our Toddler environments have been involved in preparing food for their communities this month. Banana muffins and guacamole have made their way to the snack table, all due to the hard work of the little ones who made them. Not only do these children feel proud of what they have accomplished, they also are encouraged to try the new and exciting food on their plate.

When in the kitchen with Toddlers, keep it simple and straightforward. Before getting your child involved, prepare the food or ingredients into a form manageable for small hands. If baking, you could pre-measure the ingredients into separate bowls. If peeling or slicing vegetables, create bowls or plates for discarded peels and for sliced food, and cut down larger pieces if need be. (Sometimes half an apple is enough for little hands to chop.) Use tools that will be comfortable for your child’s hands, like a crinkle-cut chopping knife, a small Y-shaped vegetable peeler, or small wooden spoons. Most importantly, expect a mess, but don’t be afraid to involve your child in cleaning up!

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Montessori at Home: The Secrets to Successful Toy Rotation

Have you ever walked into your child’s bedroom or playroom, taken a look at the state of affairs, and quietly backed out to temporarily avoid dealing with the chaos within?  We know the feeling.
In this post we will share tips and tricks to help you take a Montessori approach when it comes to your children’s toys.  The secret lies within rotating toys, much like Montessori guides rotate at least some of the materials on their classroom shelves.
 
Why bother rotating toys (or Montessori materials, for that matter)?  The benefits are numerous and wide-ranging: your children will engage more fully with toys that are available to them, cleaning will be easier for children to complete independently, and children will likely appreciate what they have in a new way.  As a bonus benefit, you will become more mindful about what toys are really useful in your home and what your children do not necessarily need or want.
Follow our handy six-step guide to creating a gorgeous, inspiring, peaceful, and fun space for your children to play at home.
Step One: Observe
While you may be eager to jump right in and purge, take your time in making informed decisions. The first step is to find a notebook and pen and sit quietly aside as your children are playing.  Try not to engage with them too much and encourage them to play independently.  After a bit of time this will allow you to observe their play in a more authentic way. Resist the urge to intervene or question their choices, unless, of course, they encounter a safety hazard!

As you observe, consider the following:

• Is there a particular toy your child tends to gravitate toward?
• Are there obvious developmental skills your child is working on?
• Are there toys your child seems disinterested in?
• How is your child interacting with the environment as a whole?
• Notice the space itself and how it suits your family’s needs or doesn’t.

Continue this observation for a few days.  Keep your notebook handy during the day so that you can make a quick note of any thoughts or observations your make elsewhere in your house.  Really think carefully about what your child’s interests and needs are.
Step Two: Assess
This is perhaps the least pleasant step for many of us.  Best done when the children are not around (while they are at school or asleep), grab a cup of coffee, put on some music that you love, and commit to muddling through!
Clear a large floor space and lay out all your child’s toys.  As you sort through, set aside any that could be passed along or donated, recycled or thrown away, or boxed up and stored elsewhere.  Going through all the toys at once will give you a clear picture of what your child has and better prepare you to create the ideal play environment.
Step Three: Prepare

In this step we focus on the environment itself.  As your child grows and changes, their needs from the environment will change as well.  Consider what they need for now and envision the space you think will serve them best. Some ideas:

• A clean space, preferably with natural colors and soft lighting.
• Hidden storage for toys not currently in use: perhaps bins in a closet or baskets on high shelves.
• Low, open shelves. Avoid toy boxes as they become dumping receptacles.
• Comfortable, delineated areas for different uses or ages. For example a comfy reading nook, a low table for creating art, or a desk for an older child.
• Baskets or trays to contain small objects or toys with multiple pieces.

Step Four: Select
Now for the fun part!  Look back over your observation notes. Consider the toys your child has and think about which ones they would appreciate most at this time.

The most important piece of advice we have here is to keep the options minimal. Rather than neatly putting all of your child’s toys on the shelves, select only a few.  This will vary depending on their age and how much time they spend at home, and you will get a better feel for the selection process as time goes on.  Just remember: less really is more.
Step Five: Guide
Once the room is prepared, invite your children in to see the changes.  Discuss your expectations for cleaning up; all children should be able to pick up after themselves with the exception of infants. They will, of course, require modeling and reminders from time to time, but a more minimalist play area will make cleaning up easier for your child when playtime is over.
For at least the first few days, guide your child through the cleaning up process. Be sure they understand that toys should go back to the space they were originally retrieved from.  If there is any potential for spills in the room, keep child-sized cleaning supplies handy so that they may pick up after themselves independently.
Step Six: Repeat
One of the biggest questions parents ask is: “How often should we rotate the toys?” There are so many variables, but a good basic guide would be about once a month.  In the days leading up to your next toy rotation, sit with your notebook and observe a bit.  You may notice there are toys your child is very interested in.  Those are the toys you may wish to leave out.  Any toys that have been forgotten in recent weeks are, for whatever reason, not appealing to your child at this time.  These can be replaced with toys from storage that may meet the current needs and interests of your child.
Looking for inspiration?  Check out these links to see some beautiful Montessori-style play spaces.  Keep in mind your home does not need to look like these to function in the same way.  True minimalism relies on using what we already have in our home, so don’t feel pressured to go out and buy anything fancy!

Por qué formarte en el método Montessori con un libro?

Si estás en la sección de Libros Montessori es que ya tienes nociones básicas sobre la pedagogía Montessori. Sabrás, pues, que se trata de un método educativo centrado en el niño/a, que pretende que éste descubra y aprenda por si mismo según sus intereses y su propio ritmo.
Este método, desarrollado por María Montessori, anima al adulto a ser observador y guía del niño. El objetivo es crear un entorno adaptado a las necesidades del niño para que éste se sienta libre de explorar su entorno y manipular los materiales que tiene a su abasto. Así es como va descubriendo sus características y su utilidad.
Sin embargo, más allá de estas ideas básicas acerca de la filosofía Montessori, hay todo un mundo por aprender. Por ello, si te interesa aplicar este método educativo con tus hijos -o con tus alumnos-, es importante que te formes con mayor profundidad, y la mejor manera de hacerlo es con uno o varios libros montessori.

Aprender Montessori con libros Montessori

Aprender la pedagogía Montessori a través de libros se convierte en una de las mejores opciones por varios motivos:

• Puedes leer el libro en el momento que desees, ojear los capítulos que te interesen en cada momento y releerlos las veces que quieras.
• La información suele estar muy bien estructurada. De esta manera, te guían desde los conceptos teóricos y principios fundamentales de la filosofía Montessori hasta las actividades prácticas concretas de cada área del desarrollo que puedes aplicar con tu peque.
• Suelen contener ilustraciones, ideas y propuestas muy detalladas para que puedas aplicar el sistema con confianza y facilidad.

Después de leer un libro sobre la metodología Montessori te entrarán muchas ganas de empezar a aplicar las ideas.
Podrás empezar con objetivos sencillos e ir avanzando hasta donde desees. De hecho, en la selección de libros Montessori que hemos preparado verás algunos que resultan ideales para iniciarte y otros que son más adecuados para profundizar en el método.
Si no eres experta en pedagogía -ni te planteas serlo- la selección de libros sobre Montessori que tienes arriba es ideal para ti porque sus autores/as te hablan con un lenguaje muy cercano y sencillo. Te lo explican todo con la pasión de quien lo ha experimentado con sus propios hijos, y con la fundamentación teórica justa y necesaria para tenerlo claro sin aburrirte. Vamos, que los libros montessori van directos a lo que a ti, como mamá o papá, te interesa: cómo aplicar la filosofía Montessori en tu hogar.

✅ ¿Cuáles son los Mejores Libros del Método Montessori en el 2019?

Si has llegado hasta aquí, es porque estás interesada, o interesado, en conocer todas las ventajas que ofrece el Método de educación Montessori para los niños. Una de las mejores maneras de hacerlo es con los libros sobre educación Montessori. Te presentamos unas reseñas exhaustivas para que conozcas estos títulos; puedes ver si son para niños o para padres y maestros, y así elegir el que te sea de más ayuda.

Montessorízate: Criar siguiendo los principios Montessori- Embarazo, bebés y niños. [Reseña]

Cuentos Montessori para crecer felices (Nube de Tinta) El mejor libro de cuentos Montessori del 2019

Educar en la felicidad: Montessori en el hogar, de la teoría a la práctica. El libro Montessori más comprado en el 2019

Tienes libros de filosofía Montessori para padres, pero también para niños según su edad; también obras de los mejores autores del método. Y además de tutoriales, guías y reseñas para sacarle el máximo provecho al nuevo libro que compres. Si te preguntabas de algún lugar donde venden libros sobre el Método Montessori, has llegado al lugar indicado, aquí podrás encontrar el que realmente necesitas, ya sea que estés empezando a conocer el método, o que seas un profesional que desea ampliar sus conocimientos para aplicarlos en el aula o en casa.

¿Qué es el método Montessori?

El Método Educativo Montessori, es una metodología de enseñanza para los niños que tuvo su origen hace muchas décadas con las observaciones de María Montessori (Se adelantó décadas, a lo que ahora ha comprobado y demostrado las Neurociencias). A partir de la cual se desarrolló una forma de enseñar a los niños según su ritmo, su edad y de manera más autónoma.

Por eso, las aulas Montessori están implementadas con una serie de materiales Montessori, que tienen un objetivo determinado, y diseñados según las edades de los niños. Estos materiales han sido diseñados basándose en la observación de los comportamientos de los niños, y viendo con cuál se sienten mejor aprendiendo. En sí, el ambiente preparado es un aspecto importante de esta filosofía de crianza; pues depende de éste, para que el niño desarrolle autonomía y aprenda libremente. Y, si tienes poco espacio en casa, igual puedes tener un ambiente Montessori adecuado, utilizando muebles plegables; por ejemplo, en la cocina una torre de aprendizaje plegable, será tu mejor aliada. Y, en su dormitorio, una cama tipi estilo Montessori, llenará de aventura, autonomía y felicidad.

Es decir, es una metodología educativa que busca que el niño desarrolle libremente, y a su ritmo natural, sus talentos, habilidades y dones. Es decir, mediante la experimentación, el niño va descubriendo lo desconocido, aprendiendo constantemente cosas nuevas. Y según las neurociencias, se ha comprobado que cuando el cerebro aprende cosas nuevas, crea nuevas sinapsis, o conexiones neuronales.

Ahora bien, es normal que el sistema educativo tradicional crea que los adultos son los que deben enseñar a los niños, y que ellos deben hacer lo que el adulto les diga. Sin embargo, el Método Montessori va más allá, señala que si bien los padres y maestros debemos buscar la mejor manera de guiar a nuestros niños; pero, que también hay la posibilidad de que los niños nos puedan enseñar a los adultos; y, al final, lo que debemos aprender es a observarlos, para así ver cuáles son sus talentos, habilidades y formas de aprender naturales.

Ventajas: ¿Por qué es importante aprender de los libros sobre educación Montessori?

Ventajas para los adultos y maestros

Los adultos, que en su gran mayoría fuimos criados y educados con el sistema educativo tradicional, ya demostrado mundialmente que es obsoleto, muchas veces caemos en su programación y encasillamos a los niños en un solo tipo de inteligencia.

Pero, si deseamos educarlos desde la sensibilidad, desde el interior y desde el corazón, debemos, tanto como padres, y muchos como maestros, proponernos seguir aprehendiendo formas, métodos y guías para que el cambio se de en nosotros mismos, y luego, así, poder transmitirlo.

Es decir: Primero SER, después HACER.

Una de las maneras en la que los adultos podemos seguir mejorando el conocimiento, experiencias y habilidades es mediante los libros de expertos en esta metodología de enseñanza.

Por otro lado, los libros de educación Montessori te darán a conocer cuál es el ritmo de aprendizaje de tu hijo, o de tus alumnos, según sus edades. Ayudarle a descubrir sus talentos, y permitirle lograr por si mismo ciertos objetivos.

Además, ya sea que estés aprendiendo a conocer la metodología de enseñanza Montessori, o que seas un profesional en el tema, siempre surgen consultas, y lo mejor es ir hasta la fuente para saber cómo abordar cada tema. Es decir, con los libros, guías y tutoriales será mucho más fácil que puedas hacer este tipo de enseñanza, ya sea en casa o en el aula.

Ventajas para los bebes y niños

En el caso de los libros para los bebes y para los niños, estos están diseñados para ayudarlos con diferentes actividades, y pueden complementarlos con los diferentes materiales Montessori. Éstos pueden ser, por ejemplo, tarjetas de letras, actividades para realizar según su edad, cuentos, tarjetas para enriquecer su vocabulario, etc.
Además, los libros Montessori para niños, ya sean cuentos o educativos, los inspira. Y, deben tenerlos siempre al alcance de la mano en su estantería Montessori. Así, cuando lo crea necesario, el niño o la niña, puede tomar el que prefiera, para sentarse en su cama Montessori y leerlo por ellos mismos, o junto a papá y mamá.

Mejores autores del método Montessori y sus Libros

Ahora bien, es normal que se crea que los libros del método Montessori sean de su fundadora; pero, en el camino y durante todo este tiempo otros autores han escrito excelentes libros y guías de esta metodología de enseñanza.

Libros de María Montessori

Tipos de libros para niños Montessori

Ahora bien, es importante diferencias los tipos de libros del método Montessori.

1. Libros sobre pedagogía infantil Montessori según su edad

Estos son escritos especialmente para los niños. Se refieren a cuentos, actividades con las letras, números y palabras. Están diseñados para adaptarse a la edad del niño y a su ritmo de aprendizaje natural, con el que él vaya descubriendo por sí mismo nuevas experiencias.

2. Libros pedagogía Montessori según su formato.

Se refiere a que, si el libro está hecho de tapa blanda, tapa dura como enciclopedia, o si tiene la versión Kindle para leerlo en el Smartphone o en la Tablet.

3. Libros Montessori para padres y maestros

Estos son guías de la metodología en sí, para que los adultos vayan aprendiendo y les sea más fácil llevar la pedagogía, en casa o en el aula.

¿Dónde comprar libros sobre pedagogía Montessori? En nuestra tienda online los tienes a precios económicos

Seguro que hasta ahora hemos podido resolver tus consultas y dudas que tenías sobre los libros sobre el método Montessori. Y en Librosmontessori.com queremos hacerte sencilla la tarea de elegir los mejores libros sobre pedagogía Montessori para que puedas aplicarlo tanto en casa, como en la escuela, si eres profesora o profesor. Por ello, dedicamos mucho tiempo a estudiar, analizar y comprobar los diferentes títulos y autores que hay en la actualidad, con el objetivo de brindarte opiniones veraces, certeras y sobre todo útiles, de cuáles son los libros recomendados sobre principios Montessori en español adecuados para aprender el método.
Por otro lado, también te mostramos una colección con las mejores ofertas del mercado, para que te sea económico comprar el libro Montessori que complemente a lo que ya has aprendido y aplicado hasta este momento. No te pierdas las promociones, porque te va a salir muy barato comprar uno nuevo.

The Montessori Philosophy takes the broad view of education as an aid and a preparation for life.

The Montessori philosophy is based on supporting the complete development of the child as they progress from birth to adulthood. It takes the broad vision of education as an aid for life.
As a way of teaching, Montessori offers the view that knowledge isn’t passively gained by listening to words. Rather, it is gained through experiences in the surrounding environment.
Therefore, the Montessori approach uses a prepared classroom to inspire children towards a life-long love of learning.
Qualities of the prepared classroom include: structure, order, freedom of movement, and freedom of choice.
Within this structured space, children learn through hands-on experiences. Especially relevant are the beautifully made Montessori learning materials that children work with to make independent learning discoveries.
The children are guided in their learning by the Montessori teachers, who act as the link between the children, and the prepared environment.
The teacher’s role is to prepare the classroom, and observe and guide their students in their learning. As a result, children progress at their own pace, according to their own abilities.
Through work in the Montessori environment, children learn to develop concentration, self-discipline, and a love of learning.
Montessori Academy’s Early Years Learning Program applies the Montessori way of teaching to help children achieve their full potential.
Finally, by valuing each child as an individual, we empower our students to become confident, independent learners.
The Montessori motto therefore is:

“Help me to do it myself.”

Montessori Materials

The Montessori materials are sensory based learning tools that are designed to provide children with opportunities to discover learning through independent learning, repetition, and practice.
The Montessori materials are beautiful and simple to use, guiding children through the Montessori curriculum, as they increase in complexity. Children are introduced to the Montessori materials by the Montessori educator, who will present the material to the child, and then invite the child to work with the material independently.
The Montessori materials are presented to the child in sequence, from easiest to hardest, in accordance with their developmental needs and interests, and within the context of the other materials that they will encounter as they progress through the Montessori Education Program.
This clear sequence provides children with a logical pathway to learning that promotes the gradual layering of knowledge to establish foundational learning. As Doctor Maria Montessori stated: “Practice makes permanent” and “Nothing goes into the mind that does not first go through the hands.”

Control of Error

Especially unique, is that each Montessori material is designed with a visual control of error. This means that the child can easily see and correct their own mistakes because the pieces do not fit together, or there is a piece left out. This self-correcting aspect also makes the materials auto-instructional. This means that the child can discover and master the outcomes of the material through repetition and practice, independent of an adult. As a result, Montessori students develop strong problem solving skills, resilience, and concentration.

Progression Order

Within the Montessori classroom, the Montessori materials are displayed within their specific Curriculum area, including: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Culture. Each material is displayed in progression order, from easiest to hardest, and from left to right. This logical structure encourages children to organise their thinking, progress logically through the Montessori program, and absorb the outcome of the material at their own pace. The left to right orientation of the Montessori materials also assists children with preparation for reading and writing, and the way that the brain naturally processes information.

Fine Motor Skills

In addition to teaching children concrete knowledge areas and skills, Montessori materials are also beneficial for building fine-motor skills in children. Maria Montessori understood fine motor development to be a crucial aspect of children’s education because of its link to how children come to understand their world. Children first learn through their hands. Incorporating both gross and fine motor skills is crucial to a balanced approach to each childhood education that incorporates the social, physical, mental and emotional aspects of child development.Therefore, many Montessori materials encourage the development of these skills from a young age. By allowing children to experience learning through their senses, the Montessori materials teach children to become independent, self-motivated learners, with the skills to thrive.
What’s unique about Montessori learning materials?
Control of error
Purposeful activities using movement and exploration
Materials isolate one concept or skill
Aesthetic and engaging
Hands-on experiential learning
Simplify abstract concepts
Develop fine motor skills

My daughter Sophie has learnt so much over the last year! Her vocabulary has increased, she can write her name, and is starting to sound out three letter words. I can’t wait to see how she develops once she moves into the preschool room!

Principles of Montessori Education

The Montessori Method of education is based on Doctor Maria Montessori’s (1870-1952) scientific observations about how children learn as they progress from birth to adulthood. Montessori discovered that children avidly absorb information from their surroundings, and that if these surroundings provide opportunities for learning, that children would readily teach themselves. Over more than 50 years, Montessori perfected the teaching principles, key learnings, and educational materials that provided children with the optimal learning environment.

Respect for the child

The unique developmental needs and interests of each child are respected. Children are not compared based on merit, they are valued for their individuality. Montessori education embraces multiple styles and pathways to learning, and understands that each child’s early learning journey is different.

Sensitive Periods

Children pass through specific stages in their development when they are most able to learn specific skills. In Montessori education, these are called ‘sensitive periods‘. The Montessori learning environment supports these periods by proving children with hands-on learning experiences that encourage repetition and problem solving to maximise learning during these windows of opportunity.

The Absorbent Mind

The first six years of life are crucial in a child’s development as they establish an understanding of themselves and their world. The Montessori environment supports children in this task by providing them with learning experiences that promote their sense of belonging, confidence, independence and agency.

Teaching Roles

Children are the centre of the Montessori classroom. The role of the teacher is to observe and guide, being mindful of children’s changing interests, developmental needs, and emotions. Teachers plan daily lessons for each child.

Montessori Materials

Montessori materials are sensory-based learning tools that are designed to isolate one skill or concept. The materials encourage hands-on learning, independent problem solving, and analytical thinking. Especially unique, is that each Montessori material is designed with a visual control of error.

Prepared Environment

The Montessori classroom is a prepared environment designed to optimise learning. Characteristics include: low open shelves, left to right display of Montessori materials in progression order, defined curriculum areas, child-sized furniture, freedom of movement, and freedom of choice.

Three Hour Work Cycle

Students participate in a three-hour work cycle every day. This period of individual learning provides children with the opportunity to choose their work and progress at their own pace.

Five Curriculum Areas

The Montessori Curriculum is divided into five key areas of learning: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language and Culture. Each curriculum area has a dedicated space in the prepared environment.

Normalisation

Normalisation describes the process where young children come to focus and concentrate on a task for a sustained period of time. This period of development is characterized by: love of work, concentration, self-discipline, sociability.

Introduction to Montessori Education

Montessori Academy views education as an aid and a preparation for life. We believe that every child is capable of achieving their full potential, when provided with the right environment, materials and guidance.

Introduction to Montessori Education

The Montessori Method takes a child-centred approach to learning that is focused on self-directed activity and hands-on learning. The Method is scientifically based on the key developmental stages children move through from birth to adulthood. It is designed to support and nurture children’s needs and interests by providing them with learning experiences suited to their stage of development. As Doctor Maria Montessori states: “Education is a natural process carried out by the child, and is not acquired by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment.”

Montessori Classrooms

Montessori classrooms are beautifully crafted environments that are designed to meet the needs of children in a specific age range. The role of the Montessori teacher within this environment is to observe and guide each student on their unique development journey. The focus is on children learning and leading, not on teachers teaching. In addition, the Montessori teacher presents the Montessori activities to the children. As a result, children learn by watching the presentations, and then completing the activities on their own.
In the Montessori classroom, children make independent choices, enjoy freedom of movement, and are guided towards a love of learning. Children work individually, or in small groups, using self-correcting educational materials. Most unique about these materials is that each has been specifically designed to isolate one skill or concept. In effect, this self-correcting quality allows children to discover the outcome of the materials independently, and at their own pace.

Montessori Materials

The Montessori materials match children’s interests with the five Montessori curriculum areas. These include: practical life, sensorial, mathematics, language and culture. Through interest-based experiences, children learn to develop key knowledge areas and skills that assist with their social, cognitive, physical and emotional development. In effect, the Montessori materials teach children how to problem solve, work together, correct their own work.
Montessori education has been time tested with more than 100 years of success in diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts across the world. Its success endures because it is scientifically based on how children learn; they learn experientially. Everything about Montessori is focused on teaching children to develop the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their potential.

Preschool Room Daily Routine

A Typical Day in the Preschool Room (3 – 6 years)

7.30am – Montessori Academy Opens

Good Morning! Welcome to another day of learning and exploring with Montessori Academy. Upon arrival all parents are required to sign in at the beginning of the day. Please place your child’s belongings in their locker. When entering the classroom, please remember to knock on the door, and wait to be greeted by your child’s teachers. We encourage families to say goodbye at the door so as not to disturb the children’s work.

7:45am – Montessori Work Cycle Begins

For the first three hours of the day, our preschoolers participate in the Montessori work cycle. During this time children freely choose to work with a Montessori activity from one of the five curriculum areas. Children may work with one material for the whole work cycle, or move freely from one activity to the next. New children are guided through the activities and lessons by the Montessori trained Educators.

9.30am – Progressive Morning Tea

Morning Tea is provided by Montessori Academy and is usually fruit, vegetable sticks, cheese and milk or another healthy snack. It is served during the Montessori work cycle, allowing children to continue working with the materials if they choose to do so. Children serve their own food and pour their own milk to develop fine motor and practical life skills. They also assist with packing away at the end of the meal.

10.00am – The Montessori Work Cycle Ends

Children conclude their Montessori activities and pack away the materials. Packing away is an important part of learning to take care of the materials and their classroom environment. It allows the children learn the order of the materials in their classroom environment and take pride in returning objects to their rightful place.

10.30am – Outdoor Play

After the Montessori work cycle is outdoor play time! Our prepared outdoor environments are designed to invite interest and activity. This environment is set up daily with rotating activities to meet children’s developmental needs and interests. Outdoor play is a time for the preschoolers to socialise with other age groups and exercise their gross motor skills. This is a wonderful time to foster imitative learning, collaboration, and nurturing of younger children.

11.30am – Group Time

Group time is key part of the Preschool Program. This is because it allows the class to develop a strong sense of community through shared learning and experiences. Group time activities for our preschoolers typically include: show and tell, project-based interest activities, grace and courtesy, language and writing skills, geography study, and art and craft.

12.00am – Lunch Time

Working hard is hungry work! Most Montessori Academy services require families to pack a lunch for your child. Homemade food encourages children to learn about foods from different cultures, encourages food-based discussions, and fosters a greater understanding of healthy eating. Our staff are happy to heat any meals that should be served warm.

12.40pm – Rest Time

After lunch is rest time for our preschoolers. Each child has their own floor bed and rest listing to soft music. Children who do not need a day sleep participate in quiet activities such as story time, colouring, or working with the Montessori materials.

2.30pm – Preschoolers Wake Up

Children begin to wake up and pack away their bedding. Educators ensure each child’s bedding is packed away in their own bag, ready for the next day. Once everyone has packed away, the children prepare for afternoon tea and outdoor play. Children’s bedding goes home at the end of each week.

3.00pm – Communal Afternoon Tea & Outdoor Play

Montessori Academy provides a nutritious afternoon tea that usually consists of fruit, rice crackers, vegetable sticks, or other healthy snacks. Afternoon tea may be held in the classroom, or as an outdoor picnic, dependent on the weather. Once children have finished eating, they participate in outdoor activities such as gross motor games, dramatic play, gardening activities, and sandpit play.

5.00pm – Late Snack and Indoor Play

Preschoolers come back inside the classroom around 4.30pm for a late snack and to begin winding down for the day. During this time children are again provided with the opportunity to continue working with the Montessori materials. Otherwise they participate in quiet group time activities, or work on interest projects.

6.00pm – Montessori Academy Closes

Good evening and welcome back! Your little one is now ready to go home after a wonderful day of learning and fun. Your child’s Educators will greet you at the door and help you collect your child’s belongings. If you have any questions about how your child slept, or how much they ate, our friendly team of Educators are more than happy to assist.
*Throughout the day frequent toilet times and/or nappy changes are scheduled for the children, and our Educators regularly check if your child requires an extra nappy change.
*There are facilities for children to wash their hands before and after every meal and toilet break, and as needed.

Toddlers Room Daily Routine

A Typical Day in the Toddlers Room (2 – 3 years)

7.30am – Montessori Academy Opens

Good Morning! Welcome to another day of learning and exploring with Montessori Academy. Upon arrival all parents are required to sign in at the beginning of the day. Please place your child’s belongings in their locker. When entering the classroom, please remember to knock on the door, and wait to be greeted by your child’s teachers. We encourage families to say goodbye at the door so as not to disturb the children’s work.

7:45am – Montessori Work Cycle Begins

For the first three hours of the day, our toddlers participate in the Montessori work cycle. During this time children freely choose to work with a Montessori activity from one of the five curriculum areas. Children may work with one material for the whole work cycle, or they may move freely from one activity to another. New children are guided through the activities and lessons by the Montessori trained Educators.

9.30am – Progressive Morning Tea

Morning Tea is provided by Montessori Academy and is usually fruit, vegetable sticks, cheese and milk or another healthy snack. It is served during the Montessori work cycle, allowing children to continue working on the materials if they choose to do so. Children may work individually or in small groups as long as they are productive.

10.00am – The Montessori Work Cycle Ends

Children conclude their Montessori activities and pack away the materials. Packing away is an important part of learning to take care of the materials and their classroom environment. Children learn the order of the environment and take pride in returning objects to their rightful place.

10.30am – Outdoor Play

After the Montessori work cycle is outdoor play time! Our prepared outdoor environments are designed to invite interest and activity. This environment is set up daily with rotating activities to meet children’s developmental needs and interests. Outdoor play is a time for the toddlers to socialise with other age groups and exercise their gross motor skills.

11.30am – Group Time

Group time allows the class to develop a strong sense of community through shared learning and experiences. Group time activities for our toddlers typically include: show and tell, walking on the line, grace and courtesy, story time, interest based projects, music and movement, language activities, geography study, and art and craft.

12.00am – Lunch Time

Working hard is hungry work! Most Montessori Academy services require families to pack a lunch for your child. Homemade food encourages children to learn about foods from different cultures, encourages food-based discussions, and fosters a greater understanding of healthy eating. Our staff are happy to heat any meals that should be served warm.

12.40pm – Rest Time

After lunch is rest time for our toddlers. Each child has their own floor bed and go to sleep listing to soft music. Children who do not need a day sleep participate in quiet activities such as story time, colouring, or working with the Montessori materials.

2.30pm – Toddlers Wake Up

Children begin to wake up and pack away their bedding. Educators ensure each child’s bedding is packed away in their own bag, ready for the next day. Once everyone has packed away, the children prepare for afternoon tea and outdoor play. Children’s bedding goes home at the end of each week.

3.00pm – Communal Afternoon Tea & Outdoor Play

Montessori Academy provides a nutritious afternoon tea that usually consists of fruit, rice crackers, vegetable sticks, or other healthy snacks. Afternoon tea may be held in the classroom, or as an outdoor picnic. Once children have finished eating they participate in outdoor activities such as gross motor games, dramatic play, and gardening activities.

5.00pm – Late Snack and Indoor Play

Toddlers come back inside the classroom around 4.30pm for a late snack and to begin winding down for the day. Children are again provided with the opportunity to continue working with the Montessori materials. Otherwise they participate in quiet group time activities, or work on interest projects.

6.00pm – Montessori Academy Closes

Good evening and welcome back! Your little one is now ready to go home after a wonderful day of learning and fun. Your child’s Educators will greet you at the door and help you collect your child’s belongings. If you have any questions about how your child slept, or how much they ate, our friendly team are more than happy to assist.
*Throughout the day frequent toilet times and/or nappy changes are scheduled for the children, and our Educators regularly check if your child requires an extra nappy change.
*There are facilities for children to wash their hands before and after every meal and toilet break, and as needed.