Montessori Curriculum in Streatham Hill
MONTESSORI METHOD The Montessori Method is a method of educating children, based on the research and developments of Italian educator Maria Montessori (1870 - 1952). She dedicated her life to studying child development and spent a greater part of her life writing, lecturing and teaching about these practices. The Montessori Method believes that a teacher’s role is merely one to aid and support the child’s exploration and creativity, while the child learns from their environment and other children; at their own pace. This method has shown to help foster independence, confidence, a sense of pride in their achievements and positive self-esteem from an early age.
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The Montessori Learning Approach
At Streatham Montessori, we follow the principles of Dr Maria Montessori, creating a nurturing environment where children learn through hands-on exploration. Our carefully prepared classrooms include activity centres that encourage independence, curiosity, and self-directed learning. Children gain essential knowledge at their own pace by engaging with materials designed to support practical life skills, sensorial learning, and academic development. This personalised approach builds confidence, promotes creativity, and nurtures a lifelong love for learning.
Who Was Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori pioneered an approach to education that focuses on children’s innate desire to learn and their enormous capacity to do so when provided with the right environment and appropriate materials under the guidance of a watchful caring practitioner. Born in 1870, she was the first woman to qualify as a medical doctor in Italy and it is her scientific background that underlies the design of the Montessori materials – many of which show quite remarkable insight into children’s learning patterns- and her belief in the importance of observation. Her work with un teachable children and the poor in Rome, and as her fame grew, with psychologists and educationalist has left a powerful legacy and has touched the lives of countless children- and the adults around them- all over the World.
Montessori Classroom
Everything in a Montessori classroom reflects quality and to the children’s ability to do things themselves and feeling the joy of achievement that children acquire knowledge and develop new skills.
The Montessori class is quiet but never silent, as children engage in a variety of activities.- ranging from academic to the purely practical – enjoying the opportunity to concentrate without interruption over extended periods of learning and play.
The Montessori room is a ‘prepared environment’ designed to support the children’s developmental needs. The materials are accessible – children rarely need to ask if they can get something. The materials have been designed with a step – by step understanding of complex abstract concepts through the use of concrete examples such as the physical letters to the structure of the decimal system.
The preparation and maintenance of this environment is one of the primary responsibilities of the Montessori teacher. Although children are encouraged to take a role in replenishing supplies, correcting their own mistakes, cleaning up after themselves and maintaining the ordered setting that is the foundation of the Montessori approach.
Children of different ages work alongside each other, older children helping younger ones, acting as role models but at the same time reinforcing and celebrating their own learning.
Facts about Montessori
• Through observations and innovations in early childhood development, Dr Maria Montessori introduced child sized furniture, which is a commonplace in mainstream classrooms.
• Phonics - the approach to teaching reading and writing that focuses on the sounds of letters and syllables which is widely accepted as one of the best methods for developing early literacy.
• Montessori materials are designed to help children understand where they have gone wrong and enable them to work out ways of correcting themselves without being told. This helps them gain confidence.
• Discipline - children enjoy the freedom to choose within the limits of the prepared environment. Dis-regulated or disruptive behaviour is discouraged through the reinforcement of positive behaviour and respect for the space, work, and concentration of the other individuals in the classroom.
Our Engaging Curriculum
- Practical Life Practical life lessons involve Children carrying out exercises such as polishing, transferring, pouring and threading. Through these simple tasks children learn to concentrate, self-motivate, be confident and become independent. Sensorial lessons take the children through tasks about textures, smells, weight, sounds, comparisons and sequencing. These tasks help children develop awareness, sensitivity and observation and prepares them for the theories of Mathematics.
- Mathematics Practical life and sensorial methods introduce the basics of mathematics into the child’s learning, therefore, here they learn to count, combine, share, compare and really learn to understand mathematical concepts. - Language and Literacy These lessons introduce phonetic sounds of the alphabet to lead the child towards writing reading, developing their vocabulary and self-expression.
- Cultural Books and role play are used for children to learn new and different cultures. We also educate the child on history, geography, biology, science, cookery and animal care; along with the celebrations of global festivals, help the child understand and appreciate all diversities. 6) Creativity Children will be encouraged throughout their journey within the Montessori to participate in creative activities. Here lessons are packed with Arts and Crafts, roleplay, music and dance activities.
A Fun And Stimulating Environment
Our nursery provides a vibrant, engaging space where children aged 12 months to 5 years explore, play, and learn. Toddlers follow a fun and structured daily plan, with activities such as imaginative play, sensory development, and physical games. Our dedicated team ensures each child enjoys a balance of Montessori learning exercises, interactive play, and social experiences. Blending learning with fun creates a positive environment where children thrive, build friendships, and develop essential life skills.
