Young children are curious about practical life skills like washing dishing, pouring, scooping, lifting etc. Using “real materials” will entice the child to be careful, controlled, and observant of their surroundings. Children start to develop concentration, respect for materials, self-control, and patience at a young age.
Here, at Guiding Light Montessori, we want to develop the skills of using suitable natural materials in our daily lives. Therefore, we search and try to find practical, beautiful, necessary, or fancy materials to encourage and instruct children on the nature of what they see at home. Providing this environment of materials encourages opportunity and learning for the child and gives them purpose, meaning, and independence on how to develop real-life skills and activities using the natural materials in our classrooms.
Montessori materials are essential as they provide hands-on learning tools that give the children opportunities to discover key learning outcomes. Each material teaches one skill at a time and is designed to support independent learning and problem-solving. For example, a few materials used in our Montessori classrooms include language, math, and sensory materials.
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The one thing that sets Montessori schools apart from other preschools is practical life activities. Dr. Maria Montessori mentions, “Montessori encompasses domestic work to maintain the home and classroom environments and self-care, personal hygiene and grace and courtesy.” In addition, using natural materials in the Montessori environment gives children a hands-on and authentic experience.
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