A conceptual look at the framework of Montessori Education (or the beginning of the intro to my Math Album)
I see Montessori Education as a doorway to lifelong love of learning. It isn't the only entry but it is one that is structured to be very accessable to young children.
Practical Life is the invitation to this structure. It is like stairs to the doorway, an inviting floor to walk on. It supports the rest of the curriculum by allowing the child to gain precision movements and strength of hand. It provides that opportunity to develop the social skills to work well with others.
Sensorial is the keystone that holds up the arch of the entry door. The development of the senses allows the child to better investigate the world around her. It leads and supports the math curriculum through investigation of dimensions with the red rod, pink tower and like materials. It also sets the ground work for geometry and algebra with the geometric cabinet and triangle boxes and binomial and trinomial cubes. Language skills are supported though nomenclature as well as learning audiory discrimination skills with the sound cylinders.
Math and Language are the door posts and walls that enclose the structure. They flow from the floor of practical life and are supported by Sensorial education. Like a fine grained wood they are composed of many strands that run together and support each other. In my Math album there are 14 structured lessons to lead the child to understanding numeration. These encompass using 8 different materials and take avantage of the young child's need for movement.
Lanuages is similarly made up of many strands and building blocks that can be presented in the way that works best for an individual child on that child's own time table.
The structured environment is the roof to the structure making space for materials and children use of the same.
This is not a finished essay, yet. But i work with this thought in my head and needed to get it down and out. Comments and critiques are welcome.