The Montessori method is an educational approach that focuses on autonomy and respect for the child. Educational toys, puzzles and games are some examples of popular Montessori learning materials. These materials can help children develop important skills such as problem solving, fine motor development and learning math concepts. It is important to choose materials that are appropriate for the age and abilities of the children.
The Montessori Method in nursery school
One of the key elements of Montessori activities is having the right learning materials for your child. Children’s learning is self-directed, but having the right materials helps them move in the right direction. This is especially true for nursery school age children
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In Montessori education, there is not necessarily a specific program for nursery school as in a traditional nursery. But Montessori education generally begins at nursery school age, and for many children, nursery is often their last year in a Montessori school. They will have potentially been in the philosophical learning program for years and will have become familiar with the idea of self-directed learning.
During their time in Montessori preschool, children will have worked on the following:
- Handwriting
- Constructive thinking
- Counting
- Concentration
- Dexterity
Montessori Learning Materials for nursery school
Montessori pedagogy emphasizes self-directed learning based on real-life objects, so the materials you choose for your child are of great importance to his or her overall education.
When choosing Montessori learning materials for nursery school, you want to choose items that allow young children to repeat their use until they master it.
Below are some of the most popular Montessori nursery materials. Some Montessori learning materials are not only perfect for use in Montessori preschools and nurseries but can also be used at home
The Montessori Pink Tower is one of the fundamental objects of the method, as it serves several functions. The direct purpose is to help your child understand the size of objects through visual representation. The objectives of this learning material are:
- To develop observation and concentration
- Better control of muscular movements
- Improve hand-eye coordination.
The Pink Tower uses cube-shaped boxes, and each box is smaller than the one below it. The purpose of the tower is for Montessori students to use coordination, order, and concentration to compare sizes and arrange the blocks in order.
Montessori math materials is more difficult for children to learn independently, but special activities give them the extra help they need. One such activity is beading, which has become an important part of Montessori learning in nursery school.
Colored beads visually represent quantities and how those quantities work together. You can use the beads to:
- Counting quantities
- Relating Quantity to a Number
- Perform addition and subtraction (multiplication and division when older)
- Introducing your child to numbers
There are many different beads to choose from to help your child learn math. Colored bead stairs are a great option for showing quantities and connecting those quantities to a name as well as a written symbol.
Montessori puzzle maps, also known as moving maps, allow your child to physically see, hold and trace sections of the map to identify each area represented in the puzzle. Puzzle cards typically represent the globe, allowing your child to explore the continents and the contrast between land and sea.
Puzzle cards are interactive. Your child must assemble the pieces of the map and use visual acuity to compare their map to a color-coded globe to make sure they have placed the pieces in the right place. Once they have mastered this activity, have your child identify the names of the continents, as well as the oceans.
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Nomenclature Cards and Classified Images
By preschool, children generally have a good understanding of letters and how they fit together to form words. Additional teaching materials can help to improve this learning for your children.
Montessori Nomenclature Cards are a great way to help children learn the names of different objects in their world.
Language cards are a great learning tool. They are also known as association cards and are essentially vocabulary cards with pictures of objects instead of words. They usually consist of three parts:
- Cards with only the name of the object
- Cards with only the picture of the object
- Cards with both the name and the picture of the object
You can use these cards to help your child learn the names of objects, and in other circumstances, you can use them to help your child learn another language.
Learning Materials Enhance Montessori Pedagogy
Nursery school is an important stage in a child’s development, and you need to create an environment that supports your child’s learning during this time. Having the right Montessori learning materials for nursery school makes this possible and ensures that your child will have enough opportunities to conduct their own learning. There are many learning materials to choose from for your child during their nursery school year. Just be careful not to overwhelm your child with too many materials at once.