THE PRIMARY PROGRAM:
A primary child is in the age group of 3 to 6 years and spends these important formative years of his/her life in the Primary Environment. This period facilitates the process of self-construction, consolidation and refinement of various skills, that allow the child a place in society. The child becomes conscious of what they are learning through their own freely chosen activities. This freedom of choice, results in the development of an independent, self-disciplined and confident individual.
The Primary Environment
The Primary Environment at Sprouts Montessori provides the perfect blend of extrasensory and cognitive nutrition to the child. The child is welcomed into an home like, aesthetically pleasing classroom. Materials are placed, so that they are easily accessible to the child. This prepared environment provides immense opportunities for the children to move freely and choose their own work. It allows for repetition of activities and guides exploration of the various hands-on materials.
The trained adults of the environment, play a crucial role in facilitating the self-construction and development of the children.
Who is a Primary Child?
The Primary child has a sponge-like mind, that absorbs everything that is observed or experienced by him/her in the immediate environment. This child gains greater consciousness and is conscientious of all the sensorial, experiential and exploratory activities that they are involved in.
A PRIMARY CHILD…
- Has a curious mind with a need to explore and discover
- A desire to replicate the real work they experience in their environment
- Works as an individual with greater independence
- Works for perfection of the activity
- Finds security in repetition
The period of 3 years of a child’s primary life in Sprouts facilitates the process of self-construction, consolidation and refinement of various skills resulting in the development of an independent, self-disciplined and confident, individual.
“The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing them for school but for Life”- Dr. Maria Montessori
The Curriculum
The curriculum focusses on educational challenges that are appropriate for this age group of children. The curriculum plan ‘follows the child’ and is highly individualized.During their three years in this environment, the curriculum is carefully designed to help the child develop coordinated movements, make informed decisions and encourage social interactions.
The 5 areas of work in the Primary Environment are:
Exercise of Practical Life – These are real life- skills that help the child to become more functionally independent, leading to greater self-confidence.
Sensorial - These materials are designed to help children experience, notice and categorize the incoming sensory information around them.
Arithmetic - Concrete materials are used to introduce the basic mathematical concepts of sequencing, pattern recognition, understanding quantities, etc.
Language – The linguistic skills of the child are developed through multiple oral, visual and auditory activities, across different languages.
Culture - This curriculum sensorially introduces the children to the aspects of nature andthe world around them.
The activities and resources are designed to:
- develop coordination of movement
- develop independence
- develop the ability to make informed decisions
- refine the use of the senses and build concentration
- encourage exploration
- build social skills
- develop oral communication skills
- develop written communication and encourage joyful reading
Dance and yoga are offered as co-curricular activities to further develop their gross motor skills, build a connection between their mind and body and bestow a sense of achievement.
Working Schedule for the Primary Environment.
Circle time
9.00 - 9.15 am
Work time
9.15 - 11.30 am
Lunch
11.30- 12.00 pm
Play time
12.00- 12.30 pm
Co-curricular Activities
12.30 -2.15 pm