The Curriculum Art Practical Life Typical Day Social Studies Math Science Computer Music Library Movement Courtyard Language Arts
			Practical Life and Sensorial… Two areas of the Early Program are unique to the “traditional” Montessori method: practical life and sensorial. As described below, classroom exercises in these areas develop fine and gross motor coordination, lengthen focused attention span, and heighten sensory awareness. Practical Life Maria Montessori felt that the daily activities of children should be incorporated into their early education. These “practical life” exercises are based upon activities that are usually encountered in the course of daily living, such as spooning, pouring, washing a table, buttoning clothing, etc. They are particularly designed to meet the needs of the 3 - 6 year old child, who experiences a natural inclination toward repetitive movement, order, small objects, and detail. Initially, the exercises encourage the development of large and small muscle control, and the refinement of hand-eye coordination. Their continued practice helps to develop concentration to detail, independence of judgment, and a personal sense of order. As such, practical life skills are the building blocks upon which all learning is based. Sensorial Materials, in all their varied shapes, sizes, and textures, aid children in exploring, ordering, and categorizing their sense perceptions. With this idea in mind, Maria Montessori created an area of learning called “sensorial.” Sensorial materials are organized according to these categories of sense: - visual: size, color and form, - muscular-tactile: surfaces, textures, - stereognosis: temperature and pressure, - auditory: sounds and musical tones, - olfactory - gustatory When children attempt to build a tall tower using rectangular blocks of decreasing size, or trace with their fingers the shape of a letter made from sandpaper, they experience “height” and “shape” using many of the senses at their disposal. Since children all begin with their own unique set of sensory strengths, these exercises help them discover new concepts in the way that is most suited to their personal learning style. The Purpose of Practical Life and Sensorial The exercises of the practical life and sensorial areas provide indirect preparation (mental and physical) for writing, reading, and mathematics. For example, many exercises progress from left-to-right and top-to-bottom. These are, a preparation for reading and writing. Holding a knobbed cylinder by its knob, or using a tweezers to transfer materials from one container to another help to strengthen the pencil grip. Rehearsing any given exercise through its beginning, middle, and end lays the mental groundwork for problem-solving disciplines like math and science. As the complexity of activities increases, the children develop the length and quality of their concentration. With the full completion of a task, they gain a sense of order and process. By working on their own and self-correcting their efforts, the children become active and independent learners.