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Montessori in a Minute
Dr. Maria Montessori founded a time-tested education method based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. The five main areas of study are Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Cultural Studies.
Each area of study has a set of educational materials that increase in complexity, with children progressing at their own pace and based on their stage of development and interest level.
Our Montessori in a Minute series regularly explores the unique benefits of these fundamental materials through informative posts on our blog. This repository of past posts serves as an informational guide for hundreds of parents both at our school and around the globe and expands with new topics each week.
Hudson Montessori School is a proud member of the American Montessori Society.
Montessori in a Minute: The Jacket Flip
Why do Montessori classrooms place such care and intention on even the smallest daily routines? In Montessori education, independence is not just taught through grand gestures. Instead, our teachers help students cultivate confidence in everyday “I did it myself” moments. One of the best examples of this is the Montessori Jacket Flip. Here’s how it is done: A child places their jacket or coat on the floor in front of them, with the hood end at their feet and the jacket open.
Montessori in a Minute: Clock of Eras
The Montessori Clock of Eras is a circular timeline that introduces children to the major geological periods of Earth's history. Each section of the clock is color-coded and sized to reflect the length of each era, allowing students to see at a glance how long each period lasted relative to the others. Instead of memorizing dates, children explore Earth's development as one continuous story, using the clock as a visual guide to understand when changes occurred and how our wor
Montessori in a Minute: Sensorial Tools
Sensorial work in a Montessori classroom nurtures each child's natural curiosity by engaging their developing senses. Long before children have the language to articulate questions, they learn about the world around them through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. In this article, we will review a few sensorial tools that are used in our Primary classrooms to refine hearing, touch, and smell. Sound Shakers Montessori Sound Shakers are designed to refine a child's sense of
Montessori in a Minute: The Three-Year Cycle
One of the most unique facets of a Montessori education is the Three-Year Cycle. Our students in Primary (Age 3-6), Lower Elementary (Age 6-9), and Middle School (Age 11-13) stay in the same classroom community for three years. This stability gives students confidence and the time they need to grow at their own pace. Our Upper Elementary program (Age 9-11) is a two-year program. The multi-year cycle is a thoughtful and practical approach without students switching teachers ev
Montessori in a Minute: Geometric Hierarchy of Numbers
One of the most exciting parts of the Montessori math curriculum is the way it brings abstract concepts to life through hands-on learning. In our classrooms, students work with the Geometric Hierarchy of Numbers, a striking set of materials designed to help children understand the scale and structure of large numbers. Colored cubes in varying sizes from 1cm on up represent different place values. One unit appears as a tiny cube that fits comfortably in a child's hand. In cont
Montessori in a Minute: Opening Bottles
In our Toddler , Bridge , and Primary Montessori classroom, our shelves feature everyday objects that most adults and older children take for granted, like pouring bottles, tongs, folding, and twist-open bottles. For our Toddlers and Primary children, a set of Opening Bottles is a preliminary Montessori Practical Life material, a gateway that leads to independence and further discovery. How to Use This Material Our set of opening bottles is not much different from the bottl
Montessori in a Minute: Short Bead Frame
Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children have a "mathematical mind," naturally eager to explore the world through numbers. Unlike some educational approaches that delay formal math instruction, Montessori mathematics introduces concepts early, using specially designed, tactile materials. One of these materials used in our Lower Elementary classrooms is the Short Bead Frame, that moves a child from hands-on concrete experience to abstract mathematical thinking. How Does I
Montessori in a Minute: Thermic Tablets
Sensorial Work in a Montessori environment nurtures a child's natural sense of wonder. In early childhood, before a child develops words to ask questions, they rely on sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to understand their world. Our teachers know that for Toddlers , Bridge Primary , and Primary students, the senses are powerful tools sharpened through exploration and observation. One of the most exciting Sensorial tools for our youngest learners is the Thermic Tablets. T
Montessori in a Minute: Baric Tablets
Montessori education is unique because we encourage children to learn through sensorial exploration and using materials that engage...
Montessori in a Minute: Golden Beads
Montessori Golden Beads: A Tool for Concrete Learning in Mathematics One thing that sets the Montessori mathematics curriculum apart is...
Montessori in a Minute: Toddler Materials Made by Our Teachers
Language, cognitive, and social-emotional skills explode for 2 year olds which is a critical developmental period. Fostering this growth...
Montessori in a Minute: Sound Baskets
The Sound Baskets are a unique Montessori material used to support early language development. Our teachers use these baskets as a...
Montessori in a Minute: 45 Layout
The 45 Layout is an essential part of the Montessori Mathematics curriculum. It helps young learners develop a deep understanding of...
Montessori in a Minute: Sandpaper Globe
Teachers use the Sandpaper Globe as a hands-on tool to teach children about the world, helping them understand the Earth’s geography,...
Montessori in a Minute: Color Boxes
Dr. Maria Montessori recognized that distinguishing subtle differences in color shades is a skill that students need in many areas of...
Montessori in a Minute: Metal Fraction Insets
Metal fraction insets are an educational material used in Montessori elementary classrooms to teach our students about fractions and...
Montessori in a Minute: Cosmic Nesting Boxes
Cosmic Education is a pillar of every stage of Montessori education. It teaches children about the interconnectedness of all living...
Montessori in a Minute: Geometric Solids
The Montessori Geometric Solids are a versatile foundational tool used in our classrooms as early as our Primary Program. This sensorial...
Montessori in a Minute: Number Rods
Montessori learning environments revolutionize math education through unique classroom tools like the Montessori Number Rods. This...
Montessori in a Minute: Color Tablets
Dr. Maria Montessori developed the Color Tablets as part of the Sensorial area to teach children about colors, shades, and gradients. The...
Montessori in a Minute: Spindle Box
Montessori education places significant importance on hands-on learning and self-discovery using specially designed classroom materials...
Montessori in a Minute: The Snake Game
Montessori educators teach mathematic concepts through hands-on, sensorially rich materials and experiential learning activities. The...
Montessori in a Minute: Knobbed Cylinders
Maria Montessori believed that "Play is the work of the child." Montessori classrooms are filled with specially curated materials to...
Montessori in a Minute: Birthday Celebrations
Creating a caring classroom community is a pillar of Montessori education that is built through collaborative learning and encouraging...
Montessori in a Minute: The Fifth Great Lesson (The History of Numbers)
The Montessori Great Lessons The Montessori curriculum teaches that the world is a place of purpose. At the elementary grade levels,...
Montessori in a Minute: The Long Black Strip and Humility
In Montessori education, a simple but profound tool introduces students to one of life's most valuable virtues: humility. The Montessori...
Montessori in a Minute: Zoology Nomenclature Cards
Zoology Nomenclature Cards are used in Montessori classrooms to introduce toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners and elementary-age...
Montessori in a Minute: Test Tube Division
Montessori education is known for teaching fundamental skills with a child-centric approach emphasizing hands-on learning and...
Montessori in a Minute: Dressing Frames
Montessori dressing frames are an excellent Practical Life material used in Toddler, Bridge Primary, and Primary Montessori classrooms to...
Montessori in a Minute: Hand Tools for Pincer Grasp
Pincer grip or grasp is an essential fine motor skill that helps children independently feed themselves, get dressed using buttons and...
Montessori in a Minute: The Hundred Board
The Montessori approach emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning, and the Hundred Board is an excellent example of this. This engaging...
Montessori in a Minute: The Decanomial Bead Box
The Decanomial Bead Box is a unique educational tool used for over a century to teach young children about mathematics. The box contains...
Montessori in a Minute: Montessori Tower
While Dr. Maria Montessori originally designed the Montessori Tower for use in Montessori classrooms; it has become increasingly popular...
Montessori in a Minute: Infinity Street and Mathematics
To Dr. Maria Montessori, children have a "mathematical mind" that's ready to explore the world around them through numbers. Montessori...
Montessori in a Minute: Sandpaper Numerals
Young children crave sensorial work and tactile experiences when learning at school or home. From birth to age two, children are...
Montessori in a Minute: Sensitive Periods
The first six years of a child's life is a time of pure discovery and exploration. With each new experience, their brain absorbs further...
Montessori in a Minute: Classroom Shelves
One thing that sets Montessori apart from other teaching styles is that the classroom is a carefully prepared environment with shelves of...
Montessori in a Minute: The Fourth Great Lesson (The History of Writing)
The Montessori Great Lessons The Montessori curriculum teaches that the world is a place of purpose. During the Second Plane of...
Montessori in a Minute: The Third Great Lesson (Coming of Humans)
The Great Lessons The Montessori curriculum teaches that the world is a place of purpose. During the Second Plane of Development (age...
Montessori in Minute: Freedom Within Limits
What is Freedom Within Limits? A purpose of the Montessori philosophy is to create an environment where children come to gain a deeper...
Montessori in a Minute: What Makes Montessori Unique?
Why are so many people introducing their children to the world using the Montessori approach? When you combine a rich academic curriculum...
Montessori in Minute: The Second Great Lesson (The Coming of Life)
The Great Lessons The Montessori curriculum teaches that the world is a place of purpose. During the Second Plane of Development (age...
Montessori in Minute: The First Great Lesson (Coming of the Universe and Earth)
The Montessori curriculum teaches that the world is a place of purpose. During the Second Plane of Development (age 6-12), teachers help...
Montessori in a Minute: Cosmic Education
What Is Cosmic Education? Cosmic education is a pillar of Montessori philosophy that teaches children about the interconnectedness of all...
Montessori in a Minute: The Third Plane of Development
What Is the Third Plane of Development? Dr. Maria Montessori believed that a child’s development occurs in four planes or stages; each...
Montessori in a Minute: The Second Plane of Development
What Is the Second Plane of Development? Dr. Maria Montessori believed that a child’s development occurs in four planes or stages; each...
Montessori in a Minute: the First Plane of Development
What is the First Plane of Development? The first plane of development is where we most clearly see a child’s absorbent mind. In her book...
Montessori in a Minute: the Brown Stair
What is the Brown Stair? Clear, sharp vision and spatial awareness are key skills that students hone during successful pre-reading and...
Montessori in a Minute: Grace and Courtesy
One beautiful facet of the Montessori curriculum is the way its focus extends beyond a students’ academic successes. Our teachers...
Montessori in a Minute: Peace Education
Dr. Maria Montessori’s teaching philosophy laid the groundwork for something far beyond academic success: She wanted it to impact all of...
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