Early education is about visualization using inanimate objects, in the classroom and outside it. They boost imagination and learning happens by relating with different objects. These interactions engage children, improve the span of concentration and also make them proactive in a learning environment.
The Montessori education method is highly relevant in early schooling and objects, known as Montessori material, enhance the learning environment. The IQ and EQ of children is stimulated when they are around these objects which can easily manipulate them to learn.
It is important to acquire materials whose use in the classroom make an effect on child’s psyche. There should be a variation of toy materials, and there must be enough for every child to explore. These are designed according to the specific educational requirements.
Montessori materials must be bought from sellers who sell materials made of fabric, wood and clay. These would promote sensorial growth and development.
It is important to consider that the learning materials should be crafted according to the Montessori philosophy. The teaching and learning revolve around materials like puzzles, blocks, and thematic representation etc.
Criteria while selecting Montessori materials are as follows:
Appealing to child’s mind: the designs should be captivating for children and they should allow freedom of interaction. It should have diverse textures like wood, fabric, enamel etc. The child should be able to manipulate the material and learn to use them creatively for better understanding. Different products are designed for various purpose, which helps to analyse things from easy to complex perspective. Some of the materials are hand puppets, picture pairing and number blocks.
Materials should encourage activity: The Montessori and Waldorf mainly emphasize on movement which is related to learning. They should provide opportunities for development of motor skills and coordination
Motivate child to build and stimulate tasks: The material that stimulates growth in children like block puzzles, horizontal dowel variation- serpentine, cubes on vertical dial etc are designed. Indoor play activities are also designed that prompt their mind for creative learning like Cook and Play Sets, get out and Grill, Side by Side Kitchen, Cook and Store Kitchen etc.
Encourage exploration: the preschool children interact with the objects and they also get help from teachers to comprehend how things work. It is to be noted that a child learns by self-exploration and observation which is imperative for the holistic development. Another factor is to have well- structured lesson plans and these materials are the medium of growth of body and mind.
A great advantage in learning Mathematics and Language: It helps children to learn concepts through innovative design. Possession of language and numerical ability at an early stage leads to the development of Intelligence Quotient. There are a wide range of materials that aids in mathematics and language like Alphabet Tray with Knobs, Tracing Capital Letter, Stencil Set, Pattern Writing Set, Say and Spell, Capital and Small Letter Matching etc. These help students in initiating into learning as these are useful and playful. The materials are not only available in English but Hindi as well. Hindi letter to Picture Matching, Hindi Numeral Tracing are some of them and the same sets are also available in Kannada letters. Montessori mathematics contains equally diverse materials like introduction to calculation by Junior and Senior Ariones set, Numeral Ring Stacker, Numerical Bead Stacker and Abacus Type, Counting Frame etc.
There are other concepts like time telling and watch reading which can be introduced through ‘clock set.’
Montessori materials makes the early school learning a ground breaking experience which enables students to experiment with the objects in a more interactive and engaging manner.
