Early Arrival
As the children
arrive, they are greeted and assisted in hanging up their outer
garments, exchanging their outdoor with their indoor shoes, invited to the
breakfast table if they are signed up, or perhaps to assist with
morning preparation of the classroom. Some children will arrive
quietly and wish to begin their day slowly. Others, our “morning”
people, might greet the day with robust energy and waste no time
greeting a friend and extending an invitation to join in an activity.
Morning Session - Work Time
The morning preschool session begins at 8:45. When the teacher
has new activities to introduce to the children, the session
will begin with an early morning ellipse, or group time may
be delayed until later in the morning, depending on the agenda.
Individual work time is the most important time we spend together
as a group, because it is during this time that the children
are making individual work choices, working at their own paces,
according to their unique interests and abilities. Some activities
allow for only one child’s attention, while others allow
children to work together. No child is forced to share with
another the materials she has first chosen. The desire and
ability to share develops from within as the child gains confidence
and security. There are many opportunities for children to
work together, provided there is an invitation to join. The
children are asked to return each activity to the shelf, when
finished, before choosing another activity. Independent choice
making is considered the most important aspect of the Montessori
experience for the young preschooler. Work time may last for
two or more hours, depending on the mood of the day, special
activities, etc.
Role of the Montessori Teacher
During this time, the role of the Montessori directress is to guide
the children and to act as a facilitator of classroom activity.
Constant and careful observation is another important role. The
better she knows each child’s interests and abilities the
better she can assist him in his progress from simple to more complex
tasks and at the appropriate time. The well-trained Montessori teacher
knows when to offer assistance and when to stand back, allowing
the child ownership of his discoveries and achievements.
Group Time
Approximately 20 minutes of class time each morning are spent together
as a group for conversations, songs, games, stories and/or physical
exercise. The children gather on the large ellipse, imprinted on
the carpet, thus it is called ‘ellipse’ time. This is
a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other, share
some laughs, have some fun and at the same time learn the grace
and courtesy required to be a member of a group. No child is forced
to join, but participation (even from a distance) is encouraged.
Ellipse time is usually a favorite time for most children and their
teachers. Following ellipse time, we will end the session on our
playground, weather permitting.
Lunch/ Nap Time
Most of the children attending the Montessori Center attend on a
full day schedule. Morning preschoolers go home at 11:30, but the
children remaining are gathered for a hot lunch. Meals are served
family style, with a teacher at each table. The menu for the week
is posted on the inside of the door near the sign-in desk. After
lunch, the children who nap are prepared for rest time and the remaining
children either return to the playground for more outdoor play or
gather at the ellipse for group games and/or movement activities.
Afternoon Session
A small group of preschoolers will
arrive at 12:45 and join the extended day children for
the
afternoon preschool session. The full day children will continue their
day where the morning left off. Some children will have projects
that they began in the morning to return to in the afternoon. Some
children spend more time socializing in the morning and become focused
on individual work in the afternoon, or vice versa. Our extended
day children learn to pace themselves and balance their days according
to their own bio-rhythms, work habits and personal preferences.
The afternoon staff understand the importance of guiding the afternoon
activities as an extension of the morning session in the true spirit
of the Montessori framework.
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