Tree Tops Curriculum
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Language and literacy
- Mathematics
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Creative development
- Physical Development
The Montessori exercises of Practical Life form a bridge between home and school. Our children learn how to look after themselves, to help others and to take care of the environment.
They often work individually, developing concentration and character, but at the same time form a united whole - "a cohesive society".
The children also work in small and large groups and develop relationships with other children and adults. Through activities, conversation and example they learn how to express their own emotions and to have respect for the feelings of others.
Our children are encouraged to communicate effectively, with adults and other children, in a variety of individual, small and large group situations. They are helped to extend their vocabulary through stories, rhymes, songs, role play and the use of the Montessori materials. Books, both fiction and reference, are freely available for the children to explore and at the appropriate time in their development they are taught the sounds of the letters of the alphabet using Montessori's unique sandpaper letters. The full range of Montessori language materials are available to enable the children to learn to read and write at their own pace within a carefully planned phonetic scheme.
Using the Montessori sensorial and mathematical materials our children are helped to develop a true understanding of the concepts of shape, size and number. They learn how to sort, match, order, sequence, count and recognise numerals. Children are fascinated by large numbers and are introduced to the Gold Bead system, which gives a concrete representation of thousands, hundreds, tens and units. Following their individual curriculum children may learn simple rules of mathematical operations e.g.; addition and subtraction. Early weighing and measuring activities are also enjoyed.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
The Montessori curriculum has always encouraged exploration, tolerance and understanding of the world - it's animals and people. Children have a natural concern for all living things and delight in looking after plants and animals. (Watching frog spawn change into tadpoles and then into frogs is always a favourite). We have a wide variety of pictures, puzzles and books to stimulate the children's interest and help to organise their sensorial impressions of the world around them. The Montessori Globes give a clear introduction to the continents and the corresponding pictures of families, their homes and animals help to foster knowledge, acceptance and tolerance at an early age. Technical understanding is developed through the use of a wide range of materials, information technology and computing, and a variety of construction toys. Our children are also encouraged to explore simple science such as: magnetism, light, magnification, water and sand.
Creative Development
Wide range of resources are available for children to express themselves in the form of:
- Art work - Creating pictures, collages and models and using cutting, Folding, painting and sticking skills.
- Drama - Using puppets, songs, rhymes and stories
- Music - Instruments, taped music and singing
- Play - Using sand, water, toys and role play
- Story telling - Verbally and using pictures and words
Physical Development
Our children develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own body skills. They move around the classrooms freely and learn to control their own movements as they carry their materials and respect other children's work Group lessons allow the children to practise balancing, throwing, catching, climbing, sliding jumping etc. The Practical Life activities also encourage the development and refinement of large and fine motor skills in preparation for using pens, pencils and other tools and materials.
