A day in the life at the Montessori Children's Center of Concord

Arrival

Each day at Montessori begins with time outside. The outdoor environment is intended for children to develop gross motor skills and to enhance their appreciation for the natural world through exploration. The playground is replete with a climbing structure, a climbing wall, swings and a slide, a large sandbox, a log cabin playhouse and a sapling wigwam. In addition, the children at MCC have many opportunities to engage in New England outdoor life, including walking along a short wooded trail which changes with the seasons, tending to our gardens, to our bevy of hens and to our rabbits, Amber and Bob. Each outdoor experience is honored as the children grow and strengthen their natural love of the earth.

"The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth."
~Maria Montessori

Circle Time

Every day the children begin and then conclude their classroom time by coming together on a circle. Each circle time is prepared by the teacher with a certain focus in mind. On the circle children are presented with purposeful lessons, songs, poetry, stories and engaging collaborative games. The heart of circle time is gathering for the purpose of sharing with and developing an appreciation for each other. This gives each student a strong sense of his individual value within the school community.

"We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe, and are connected with each other to form one whole unity."
~Maria Montessori

Work Time

Within each classroom session the children have a period of self-directed study time, coined as "work time". This is an extended and uninterrupted block in which each child can choose work and get individual lessons with teacher-prepared activities in integrated curriculum areas including everyday living, language, math, sensorial, science, art, and music. Each activity is designed to provide the child with an experience allowing her to develop concentration, coordination, independence, and a sense of order. The environment is prepared for the children to gradually gain these skills through practice and repetition and begin to appreciate a sense of freedom with responsibility in a classroom where each individual is learner and teacher alike. Daily work time is a unique cycle of time designed for the child to grow and learn from age 3 through 6 years, the developmental span when he is particularly able to absorb information from an enriched environment. An opportunity to share a snack with friends is also incorporated into work time.

"Education is a natural process carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment."
~Maria Montessori

The Role of the Teacher

The Montessori teacher's role, above all, is as active observer. She is watchful of the children, their needs, and the direction of the work that must be prepared for them. Her role is also that of lesson presenter for individual children or those in small groups. The teacher sets the tone for the classroom by providing a functional framework during the beginning months of each school year. This includes ground rules that establish a basic understanding of respect for the environment, the work in the environment and most importantly kindness and respect for fellow classmates.

"The word education must not be understood in the sense of teaching but of assisting the psychological development of the child. "
~Maria Montessori