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Montessori materials – why they’re different

The materials used in Montessori classrooms are specifically designed, chosen and engineered to provide children with opportunities to discover, learn and create through independent learning, repetition, and practice.

montessori learning materials and how they are different

Materials are sensory-based, simple to use, guiding children through the Montessori curriculum, as they increase in complexity. Children are introduced to the Montessori materials by the Montessori educator, who will present the material to the child, and then invite the child to work with the material independently. The Montessori materials are presented to the child in sequence, from easiest to most difficult, in accordance with their developmental needs and interests, and within the context of the other materials that they will encounter as they progress through the Montessori Education Programme.

What’s unique about these materials (many of which are explained in the Tutorials posted on our blog)?

  • Control of error – the materials are designed to enable self-correcting.
  • Auto Instructional – materials are designed to be used without the help of an adult; children will be able to discover and master the outcomes of the material through repetition and practice, independent of an adult.
  • Progress in order – materials are presented from the easiest to the most difficult; a logical structure encourages children to organise their thinking, progress logically through the Montessori program, and absorb the outcome of the material at their own pace.
  • Purposeful activities using movement and exploration
  • Materials isolate one concept or skill
  • Aesthetic and engaging
  • Hands-on experiential learning
  • Simplify abstract concepts
  • Develop fine motor skills – Maria Montessori understood fine motor development to be a crucial aspect of children’s education because of its link to how children come to understand their world, and so materials encourage development of this skill from early on.

Montessori materials teach children to become independent, self-motivated learners with the skills to thrive.

If you have any questions regarding Montessori schooling and methodology, we’d love to chat more with you – please visit our contact page and we’ll be in touch.

Source: Montessoriacademy.com – “Montessori Materials”

Photo by Dragos Gontariu on Unsplash