cac0fae8c8f092b7d7e32f10d5d4e9c220d2969b My Health Is My Life: Designing The Best Montessori Playroom

Designing The Best Montessori Playroom

By Donald Bailey


When Maria Montessori identified the levels of the sensitive periods of learning, she opened the door to a whole new method of educating young children, named the Montessori Method. This is a method that takes advantage of the sensitive periods, which means the period when the child is intensely interested in a particular phase of learning. All children experience these periods, at the approximately same age. A good Montessori playroom will build on these periods.

One of these periods, the earliest one, is that of movement. At this time the interest in movement of any sort, reaching, pushing/pulling things, getting from one area to another, and is fascinated by anything that moves, be it animal or people. Toys for this period should focus on movement and on developing that skill further. The organized playroom can help, but it should be organized and appealing, with less toys being better than more.

A home living area can address many of the child's sensitive periods throughout the entire seven years of his early childhood. The child uses things like measuring cups, rulers, and many manipulative items to explore math concepts and many other things. Small kitchen equipment also lets the child mimic the actions of grown-ups and learn to work with others and to communicate.

Dress up play encourages a wealth of imagination. Basic items of clothing in the child's size but adult-like is perfect. Also, children's costumes like community service workers allows for imaginative play and learning. Colorful silk squares also allow twirling and dancing with them as the child imagines all sorts of characters to become.

Another important learning skill is that of music and movement. These can be together because the music can promote movement. There should be musical instruments and toys that encourage movement. Again, silk squares will encourage dancing and creative play.

The building area is another important area for a number of reasons. Not only can the child explore measurement, but can mimic using play tools like those he sees the adults around him use. He can explore measurement, comparisons, how to share with others, but also can construct many different structures, both those in the real world and those imagined.

One of the most vital areas to develop for your child is that of measuring and discovery. Here he learns how liquids perform, bigger, smaller, more, less, and a lot of other concept skills that will continue to benefit throughout his lifetime. Things to include here would be things like telescopes, spy glasses, and anything that will encourage him to explore/examine his world.

You may think this playroom is too much like preschool or a home school situation. It is very much like that. The reason is because childhood is all about learning and exploring, in a fun way. You must be aware of the sensitive periods as identified by Maria Montessori and use that to involve your child. If you don't, the time will pass you by and it will be too late. This interest can't be revived later.




About the Author:



No comments: