Showing posts with label montessori school in the bay area. Show all posts
Showing posts with label montessori school in the bay area. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Montessori Terminology

Montessori Terminology

When considering a Montessori education for your child, there are a variety of terms that may be unfamiliar. Below are some of the most common terms and their meanings.

Montessori Terminology

Montessori: This word describes the founder of the school, the teaching method, and the school itself.

Nido: Nido means “Nest” in Italian. It is the word used to describe the Montessori environment for babies between 2 months and 14 months old.

Casa dei Bambini:  Meaning “Children's House” in Italian. It is also the name of the first school opened by Dr. Montessori.

Children's School: This is the name of the classrooms where student ages 2 ½ to 6 will study. Other schools call these classrooms, preschool or primary school. Some schools call the entire school the Children's School.

Absorbent Mind: From the time a baby is born up until they are 6 years old, their brain allows them to learn from their environment. The knowledge is absorbed, and they don't need to make any conscious effort to learn. It happens naturally.

Planes and Development: There are 4 distinct periods of growth, development, and learning, based on a child's age. The absorbent mind occurs between birth and 6 years old. 

Practical Life and Practical Activities: These are activities that students learn in the school to help them learn to take care of themselves. They would learn hand washing, mopping, and dusting. Older children would participate in more advanced practical activities.

Prepared Environment: This describes how a classroom is designed to meet the needs of the children and focus on their learning. It includes carefully selected materials and child-size furniture. Also, the rooms are prepared so that children have room to work alone or in groups.

Sensorial Exercises: These are exercises that help children develop and refine their fives senses: seeing, touching, tasting, hearing, and smelling. Also, through sensory materials, children build a foundation for math, writing, and speech.

Work: These are purposeful activities that are meant to help children learn through activities that they choose themselves.


Sensitive Period: This is an important time during human development where the child becomes ready to learn a skill or ability. The teachers at the school understand the importance of this period, and they prepare the environment to meet the child's development needs.

Montessori Schools of Fremont have been providing premium education since 1974. We invite you visit one of our locations, schedule a tour and see how a Montessori education may benefit your child and family.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Teaching Life Skills to Small Children

Teaching Life Skills to Small Children

A Montessori kindergarten program is geared to begin the teaching of important life skills to the youngest of children in ways appropriate to them. Various enjoyable activities deal with independence and self-worth, taking care of the child’s own person, the development of motor skills, taking care of the environment, learning courteous behavior, learning how to resolve conflicts, and more.

Building Confidence

Adding to the child’s self-worth is a primary life skill, and each time he or she completes a chore or makes someone happy, that increases confidence. Early learning in a kindergarten program will follow throughout life.

Motor Skills

The simple chores of dressing, grooming, folding laundry, easy food preparation such as making toast or tearing lettuce for a salad or spreading peanut butter, sweeping the floor, putting purchases into a shopping cart, spooning small objects from one container to another, and other movements are essential for the development of the intellect and motor skills.  

Organizing and De-cluttering

Cleaning up after making a mess, learning how to put books and craft materials back in their proper places, disposing of anything damaged or broken, and giving to others items no longer wanted are skills that will be of benefit for a lifetime.  

The Environment

Children delight in taking care of their surroundings. They can arrange and water flowers, grow other types of plants, feed fish or other small classroom pets, sweep up spills, and learn about the environment.

Conflict Resolution

Misunderstandings are a natural component of social relationships, and children love to act out scenarios in which they have to deal with taking directions, playing in a fair manner, and how to resolve conflicts. Learning to disagree while maintaining respect for the other party and self-control takes years to learn but is definitely worth the effort.

Courteous Behavior

Working and playing together gives students a chance to see the advantages of living in a caring and peaceful community. Learning how to greet people graciously, using "please" and "thank you," showing everyday kindness, and welcoming a new student into the class are good examples.

Come and see for yourself  


You are welcome to schedule a tour at your our Montessori school in the Bay Area to learn more about this impressive kindergarten program that will begin your child’s ability to deal with everyday life and be a training ground to eventually go out into the world as a responsible and caring adult.