Exploring the World Around Us

"The senses, being explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge. Our apparatus for educating the senses offers the child a key to guide his explorations of the world…"[i]

This is the time of year that our senses are enraptured: the smell of autumn is in the air, the canopy of autumn in the sky and the pumpkin patches are replete with pumpkins big and small.  In the Montessori classroom, the purpose of the sensorial materials is to educate and refine the senses. Dr. Montessori observed that the “child's intellect does not work in isolation, but is everywhere and is always intimately bound up with his body”, (Standing, E. M., Maria Montessori: Her Life and Her Work), particularly with his nervous and muscular systems. Sensorial education helps develop a child's intellect through exploration of the senses.

Dr. Montessori was a scientific observer. According to Montessori, a child between two to six years passes through the ‘sensitive period’ for the refinement of the senses. She thus took each of the senses and developed beautiful materials that would support children in using and refining their skills of classification, ordering, and pairing to help them build an understanding of the world around them. 

          What Dr. Montessori advocated for over 100 years ago has also been corroborated by the most recent brain research:  "Experience is the chief architect of the brain…. Rich experiences, in other words, really do produce rich brains.” [ii]

Plus, the materials are endlessly engaging and fun to work with for inquisitive young minds.

---

[i] Montessori, M. (1988). The Absorbent Mind. Oxford: Clio Press. p. 167

http://www.infomontessori.com/sensorial/introduction.htm

[ii] FERTILE MINDS By J. MADELEINE NASH Sunday, June 24, 2001

http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,137214,00.html

“Fall” into Montessori at home this fall

“The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiences.” 
― Dr. Maria Montessori

In the Montessori classroom, there is an emphasis on nature—both in the natural materials found therein as well as in the “natural” fit of all the child-sized furniture and equipment. Materials are real (spoons, forks, knives, mops, brooms, etc.). Nature is also welcomed inside the classroom through plants, pets and natural objects like seashells, for example, that can be used for a variety of activities (scrubbing, decorating, observing).

This is the time of year when nature is bountiful and esthetically captivating. This month, do a little Montessori activity with your child at home and watch their pride soar. You just need a few things to make this beautiful autumn leaf bowl. And the best part is that the main ingredient is found in nature!

First, you’ll need to take a walk outdoors and find a big, autumn leaf. Admire its texture and color and then get ready to “capture” it in a beautiful keepsake.

In addition to your leaf, you’ll need:

• Air dry clay (from craft store or Target, etc.)
• Acrylic paint (whatever leaf color inspires you)
• A rolling pin
• A bowl

Step 1:

Roll out your clay into a sheet about half a cm / 5mm thick…

Step 2:

Place your clean dry leaf – vein side down – over the clay and give it a good roll to imprint the clay with the leaf shape and the veins.

Step 3:

Once the leaf print has been rolled onto your clay, cut around the outside with a sharp knife or cutter.

Step 4:

Place your leaf inside another bowl to dry. This will give your leaf its bowl shape. Let it dry for a couple of days.

Step 5:

Your leaf is ready to paint and enjoy! Now your little one can find some cute acorns to keep inside.

(idea credit: emmaowl.com)

New Season, New Way to Celebrate our Community

The school is a child’s home away from home where a strong sense of community in the classroom helps each child to thrive socially, emotionally as well as academically.  A Montessori classroom focuses on community building and cooperation while supporting the individual progress and development of each child.

This year, as always, we celebrate community within the classroom as well as in our local community. As the leaves are getting ready to turn, and the smell of fall is in the air, The Westmont School is getting ready to celebrate the fall season together at Mendham’s annual Harvest Hustle. In addition to sponsoring the event, our school has set up a Westmont Team for the 5K run that will take place at Mendham Borough Park (Intersection of Mountain Avenue and Park Avenue) this coming Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 (see schedule here).

Join our Westmont team for the run! Or come walk, visit our Westmont tent & do a fun, fall craft or just enjoy our wonderful Westmont community.  And don’t forget to cheer on our Westmont Team participants—hope to see you there!