The Hockessin Montessori School

The Montessori Student explores concepts appropriate for their developmental stage in the following areas of the curriculum:

Practical Life                                   Sensorial
Writing                                         Reading
Mathematics                                 Life Science
Physical Sciences                      Earth Sciences
History and the Humanities

A Brief Overview................................

Practical Life
*Grace and Courtesy - Toddlers begin integration of proper behavior and social skills by following the examples being modeled by adults in their environment.
*Care of Self - Toddlers continue to gain a sense of self-worth through activities that promote independence.
*Care of Environment - Toddlers begin to move from their naturally egocentric state to a better recognition that there is a bigger world outside of themselves as they learn how to help take care of it.

Sensorial
Visual, Tactile, Auditory, Olfactory, and Gustatory Disrimination are the areas of focus within the Sensorial curriculum.  The Sensorial area allows Toddlers to gather information using all of their senses combined, thus fulfilling their need for exploration.

Writing
Toddlers engage in numerous activities that develop, refine, and strengthen large and small muscles in their hands, preparing the student for writing.

Reading
*Pre-reading activities such as Nomenclature, Matching, Patterning, Sequencing, Associating, Opposites, Listening to Books, Beginning Comprehension activities, independent reading (looking at books), and describing pictures lay the foundation for the reading process.
*Oral Expression activities such as reciting fingerplays, addressing adults, and sharing prepare the child for reading.

Mathematics
One to one correspondence, simple patterning, sequencing, linear counting, introduction of numerals, association of numerals to quantity, memorization and the introduction to the concept of zero are integral mathematics concepts at the Toddler level of development.

Life Science
The Life Sciences are introduced through exploration of authentic plant and animal specimens.  Observation, labeling, and nomenclature activities help the student become familiar with the natural world.

A Brief Overview................................

Practical Life
*Grace and Courtesy - Toddlers begin integration of proper behavior and social skills by following the examples being modeled by adults in their environment.
*Care of Self - Toddlers continue to gain a sense of self-worth through activities that promote independence.
*Care of Environment - Toddlers begin to move from their naturally egocentric state to a better recognition that there is a bigger world outside of themselves as they learn how to help take care of it.

Sensorial
Visual, Tactile, Auditory, Olfactory, and Gustatory Disrimination are the areas of focus within the Sensorial curriculum.  The Sensorial area allows Toddlers to gather information using all of their senses combined, thus fulfilling their need for exploration.

Writing
Toddlers engage in numerous activities that develop, refine, and strengthen large and small muscles in their hands, preparing the student for writing.

Reading
*Pre-reading activities such as Nomenclature, Matching, Patterning, Sequencing, Associating, Opposites, Listening to Books, Beginning Comprehension activities, independent reading (looking at books), and describing pictures lay the foundation for the reading process.
*Oral Expression activities such as reciting fingerplays, addressing adults, and sharing prepare the child for reading.

Mathematics
One to one correspondence, simple patterning, sequencing, linear counting, introduction of numerals, association of numerals to quantity, memorization and the introduction to the concept of zero are integral mathematics concepts at the Toddler level of development.

Life Science
The Life Sciences are introduced through exploration of authentic plant and animal specimens.  Observation, labeling, and nomenclature activities help the student become familiar with the natural world.

Physical Sciences
The Physical Sciences are introduced through exploration of concepts such as magnets, simple solutions as in making play dough, the introduction of the concept of cause and effeect, and observation.

Earth Sciences
Toddlers begin to learn about and classify the world around them by being introduced to land, air and water concepts and classifications, and weather and seasons.

History and the Humanities
The Toddler's concept of time and history revolves around their daily schedule.  Concepts such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow, days of the week, months of the year, birthday celebrations and holidays help the Toddler to develop an awareness of the passage of time.