Syllabus
Major Modules
Practical Life
The Practical Life area provides the link between the child’s home environment and the classroom. Practical Life exercises enable the children to develop their independence, eye-hand co-ordination, self-discipline and concentration. Through these exercises, they not only learn to care for themselves but also for others, as well as the environment. Completing and mastering these exercises give the children a real sense of achievement and this builds their self-esteem.
It encompasses four main areas: Control of Movement, Care of Person, Care of Environment and Grace and Courtesy.
Sensorial
Language
Language is vital to human existence. The Montessori environment provides rich and precise verbal language. The children are free to express themselves while communicating with peers and adults in the environment.
Vocabulary building, phonemic awareness, reading and writing are developed through spontaneous exercises as well as work with the language materials.
Indirect preparation for writing begins with the practical life exercises and sensorial training. Muscular movement and fine motor skills are developed along with the ability of the child to distinguish the sounds which make up language. Written expression (for interpretation, creativity and pleasure) and grammar will also be introduced at an appropriate time.
Mathematics
Since the children’s mind has already been awakened to mathematical ideas through the sensorial experiences, they can further appreciate and grasp mathematical concepts with ease and joy by working hands-on with concrete and specially designed Mathematics materials. This lays their foundation for abstract reasoning and application of these concepts.
The materials offered move from an experiential understanding of 1-10 to linear counting up to a thousand, to an understanding of the Decimal System into the thousands, to an understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and eventually to memorizing math facts and connecting symbols to what the child understands.
In addition, self-correcting materials enable the children to learn from mistakes made, empowering them as independent learners.
Culture
Geography, History, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Art, Music and Science are presented as extensions of the sensorial and language activities. In addition, the children are exposed to different cultures from all over the world. Cultural extensions aim to increase their knowledge as well as promote respect and love for their human and physical environment.
Montessori Philosophy
Maria Montessori’s main philosophy is, Sensitive periods and The Absorbent mind. She saw the child as a Spiritual embryo. She called this the “Secret of Childhood”. Her method of education is, child centered learning where the child learns at his own pace and is given freedom of choice.
The child’s learning is based on reality, which ultimately prepares the child for the real world and many of life’s wonderful experiences.
What We Cover
3-6 Diploma Course Content
(All 4 modules required)
Practical Module 3-6A
Two onsite workshops*, totaling 14 days in one year.
Assignments include creation of Montessori albums and materials.
Subjects include practical life, sensorial education, and mathematics
Practical Module 3-6B
Two onsite workshops*, totalling 14 days in one year.
Assignments include creation of Montessori albums and materials.
Subjects include practical creative skills, culture, and language
Theory Module
Core Montessori theory plus theory relating to children 0-6 years.
Fully online
Classroom Practice Module
400 hours Montessori internship in-house at Montessori Plus Center.
Online assignments and discussion groups
*Practical modules can be taken in any order. Practical workshops are held at Montessori Plus Center.