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(Unit 5) Topic 5: Incorporating Montessori Elements in Program Planning

1 Clock Hour of Early Childhood Education

Montessori Materials

Topic 5 Page 4

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While the usual classroom supplies such as crayons and paper are used in the Montessori classroom, there are also many materials that are specific to the Montessori Method. These include counting beads, dressing frames, practical life materials and more. These materials are hands-on and give students a tool to complete their work which also allows for a constant way for children to correct their own work without the need of the teacher. Over time, the materials and concepts become more challenging when the child is ready. Often, materials are arranged on trays or in shallow baskets that allow children to easily take the materials to a work mat which has been laid on the floor.

Not all Montessori materials are catalog ordered necessities. There are basic supplies such as counting beads, work mats, maps, and organized coloring utensils. Many of these materials can be teacher made or purchased.

How to incorporate these materials:

Provide a variety of different learning materials that appeal to all five senses
Place materials on low shelves in baskets or shallow trays
Allow children to decide which materials to use when they are working
Give instructions on how to use these materials
Slowly add these new materials so that children aren’t overwhelmed
Design materials so that they grow with the child and his or her ability level

Ages or Ability Levels

Students are arranged in their classroom, not by grade or age, but instead by a range of ages and ability levels. Often Montessori classrooms are organized by several traditional grade levels. You may find a Montessori preschool classroom which contains children from three to six years of age, a lower elementary classroom with children aged six to nine years of age, and more. Combining these different ages gives students a range of peers to collaborate with and mentor. This also gives children greater access to more challenging work, if they are in need of it.