The exercises of Practical Life have objects and materials frequently found in everyday experiences which fall into four major categories: Care of the Self; Care of the Environment; Grace and Courtesy; and Control of Movement.

Activities may include pouring, dressing, cleaning, polishing, and using small tools. Young children are normally drawn first to this area of the classroom because the materials are familiar to them and they feel immediate satisfaction upon completing the activity.

They are also able to take the mastery of these activities into the real world…. Being able to now pour their own drink, tidy up after themselves, and tie their own shoes.

In the Montessori Method the purpose of the Practical Life activities is to aid the child in the development of his coordination, a sense of order, concentration, and a sense of personal independence. Through the exercises of Practical Life the child also develops the self-confidence and attention essential for success in the more advanced areas of the Montessori classroom.

A key element of the Montessori approach is Sensory Education, where children explore using their five senses – sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste – to deepen their understanding of the world. This sensory engagement forms the basis for developing language and pre-math skills.

The Sensorial area of a Montessori classroom consists of materials designed by Dr. Montessori that educate and refine the child’s senses granting him the ability to be aware of his surroundings and gain an understanding and greater appreciation of the world around him.

According to Dr. Montessori these materials allow the child “to train himself to observe; that he be led to make comparisons between objects, to form judgement, to reason and to decide” according to the purpose of the material he is using. The material may require him to recognize similarities and differences; to discriminate between similar objects; or to grade similar objects. He will use his senses to identify various sizes, shapes, colors, sounds, and textures. Dr. Montessori referred to these activities as “calisthenics for the brain” as the children working with these materials develop the organization and patterning skills needed for language and math concepts.

Development of language continues from the moment your child enters the Montessori classroom. Children are encouraged from the beginning to build an extensive vocabulary and develop the self-confidence to express their thoughts and feelings. The well prepared teacher regularly guides children to practice and hone their listening skills through stories, songs, and thoughtful conversations.

Pre-reading and pre-writing activities are incorporated throughout the classroom where children use activities that move from left to right and top to bottom, and many materials encourage the child to build their stamina while also strengthening the muscles in the hand for holding a pencil. The foundational materials designed for the very young child all pave the way for an introduction to a phonetic approach to reading and writing once they demonstrate a readiness to do so. 

The Montessori Method has unique Language materials that span a broad range, from picture cards and isolated letters to grammar symbols and sentence structure. All areas of the Montessori classroom prepare young learners to experience an “explosion” in their ability to read and write after repeated experiences with these activities.

“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.” - Dr. Montessori

Through her observations of young children, Dr. Montessori believed that children are born with a “mathematical mind”. At an early age they are aware of big and small, they can group like items, and recognize patterns all of which are mathematical concepts. 

Concepts mastered in the Practical Life and Sensorial Areas of the classroom prepare the child to meet with success when introduced to the Montessori math materials. These beautifully designed, hands-on materials allow children to develop a concrete, simple understanding of mathematical principles before moving to a more abstract, complex understanding. When the child can feel the difference between a single unit bead vs. a heavy thousand cube, and then visualize one thousand beads stretched out across a room, they are able to internalize the concept of numbers on a much deeper level.

Beginning lessons will focus on concepts such as quantity, numeration and the decimal system to be followed by addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.

Science in the Montessori classroom is designed to cultivate curiosity, hands-on exploration, and a deep understanding of the natural world. Children are encouraged to observe, experiment, and draw their own conclusions.

Whether observing a plant’s growth cycle, using a magnet to explore forces, or conducting simple chemistry experiments, children engage in learning through touch and discovery rather than passive instruction.

Science is not taught in isolation but woven into other areas of the curriculum, including practical life, sensorial activities, language, and cultural studies. For example, children learn about botany while practicing classification in language lessons, or a child might explore why certain objects sink or float in water.

Montessori science emphasizes a deep respect for nature and the outdoor environment. Outdoor exploration is also a key part of science education, fostering a sense of wonder about the world.

Geography in the Montessori classroom is an essential part of the Cultural Studies curriculum and is all about understanding our world and our place in it.

The geography materials are beautifully designed to engage young learners and make abstract concepts more tangible, help them develop environmental awareness and a deep love for the Earth as well as a sense of interconnectedness and appreciation for all cultures. 

Children learn about the natural world and its physical properties through hands-on exploration using materials that teach about land/water differentiation, which leads to a familiarity with continents, countries, and oceans. They also explore seasons, cloud formations, and the water cycle, as well as different activities where they can visualize the Earth's structure, including the crust, mantle, and core.

Exploring cultural geography and the diversity of human societies fosters your child’s global awareness, and exposure to diverse customs and traditions nurtures respect and inclusivity.