It’s no secret that children thrive in a Montessori environment. Montessori classrooms are fundamentally different from traditional ones. They are so unique in fact that it is hard to identify the differences that contribute to enabling children to thrive. We could write an entire book on this, but for now here are 5 key factors that contribute to your child’s success.

Cosmic education builds on the elementary-aged child’s need to use their developing imagination and reasoning mind to understand the universe and world around them - the cosmos. Cosmic education starts with the whole, (i.e. the universe), and works toward the parts, (i.e. individual cultures, history, geography, life forms, etc). Learning about the interconnected and interdependent nature of the cosmos helps children understand their role and importance in serving the broader community through their actions.

The Five Great Lessons - the catalyst to the Montessori Elementary curriculum. They’re meant to inspire and ignite the child’s imagination. When we imagine, we are using abstract thought to think of things that cannot be seen. The excitement The Great Lessons foster drives the child’s work in the classroom. It leads them to research the topics they are most interested in.

The Practical Life activities consist of familiar objects that a child would normally see every day. The goal of these activities is not only to help children build self-confidence in their working abilities, but to expose the children to fundamental work that builds up their concentration span with activities they will encounter through adulthood.

The Montessori Sensorial materials help children distinguish, categorise and relate new information to what they already know.

Some of the most widely recognised Montessori materials are Sensory materials - The Pink Tower, The Broad Stairs and the Red Rods - were the first materials Dr. Montessori introduced in her classroom, over 100 years ago.

Dr. Montessori recognised that a young child has a natural sensitivity for language development that starts when they learn to speak. Children at 3, 4 and 5 have a unique fascination for words - written and spoken. This fascination is what allows them to begin reading and writing before the age that its traditionally taught.

The basic concepts of math are learned by a child in two ways - either using concrete materials at an age when they enjoy manipulating equipment, or abstractly when they are older and in elementary grades.

Dr. Montessori showed that if a child has access to mathematical materials in their early years, they can easily and happily assimilate many facts and skills or arithmetic. These same concepts on the other hand, may require long hours and drill learning if they are introduced later, in abstract form.

The Cultural Studies area of the classroom encompasses a variety of subjects that are supplementary to the Montessori method. Cultural subjects include: Geography, Foreign Languages, Science, Botany, Zoology, and Art & Music. Studying these subjects provide children an opportunity to explore their curiosity of different and worldly ideas.