Multi-Aged Classrooms

The Montessori Method groups children of different ages together, in order that the younger ones might learn from the older and that the older ones mentor the younger ones. This cross-aged tutoring setup fosters responsibility, respect for others, and community.

 

In our nurseries, children are grouped as seen below:

• Babies:  2 months – 1 year (or once walking)

• Toddlers: 1 year (or once walking) – 2 years

• Montessori group:  2 years – 4 years

 

*Each grouping is subject to each child’s individual readiness and capabilities.

 

From as young as two months old, children in our nurseries begin their Montessori journey by exploring sensorial materials to develop their curiosity and ignite a desire for physical and cognitive development.  Our open plan toddler’s room introduces basic Montessori learning materials encompassing the six areas of learning. This prepares our younger children before they move into our traditional, Montessori class settings. Each day, children are invited to participate in structured circle time sessions where the directress presents a theme using multi sensory materials, including a song or story, for the children to explore. Circle times are offered in two languages, each day (Arabic, English and/or French.) We also offer Islamic sessions to those that are interested.

The Montessori Classroom

The Montessori classroom,  is a comfortable living area for the child - stimulating, beautiful and well-ordered. Everything is within the child’s reach. Each child chooses his/her activities from open shelves and works in their own work areas – on tables or on rugs on the floor, in small groups or individually. 

 

You will find the following areas in each of Sunny Meadows' classrooms –

 

Practical Life Area: The practical life materials enhance the development of task organization and cognitive order through care of the self, care of the environment, exercises of grace and courtesy and refinement of movement and coordination, whilst also developing pre-language and mathematics skills indirectly. We have traditional Montessori dressing frames and other activities include pouring water into jugs, polishing, threading and using tongs, pincers and pipettes to move small objects from one vessel to another. Our teachers and assistants change the activities regularly and find this is always one of the most popular areas of the classroom!

 

Sensorial Area: Sensorial materials enable the child to order, classify and describe sensory impressions in relation to length, width, temperature, smell, mass and colour, etc.

 

Mathematics Area: The Montessori mathematics materials allow the child to understand fundamental concepts using concrete and physically manipulative implements. This allows the child to internalize the concepts of number, symbol, sequence, operations and memorization of basic facts. Materials such as the number rods, spindle boxes and counters, provide simple yet concrete step by step guides to learning numbers and counting . Children learn how to measure and pour and how to grade big and small, for example.

 

Language Area: Language work includes oral language development, written expression, reading, as well as the study of grammar, creative dynamics and children's literature. Basic skills in writing and reading are developed through the use of sandpaper letters (loose alphabet letters), metal insets and various presentations allowing children to effortlessly link sounds and symbols and to express thoughts in writing.

 

Cultural Area: Cultural work encompasses all of the sciences.  The child is presented with geography, history, life sciences, music, art, and movement education in the form of puzzles, themed objects, books, the globe and other materials.