The Montessori early years curriculum

This chapter focuses on the Montessori early years curriculum, and describes Montessori&s;s views of children&s;s learning as intrinsically linked with their development. It identifies the key areas of learning found in Montessori early years settings. For Montessori, learning is a key to children&s;s development and education as the main contributing factor to the childs preparation for life. The child observes and explores when they become interested, when they are able to engage in an activity which involves their whole being. Therefore, if we wish to define the early years curriculum, we need to recognise that in early years, learning occurs constantly whether intentionally or incidentally. In most Montessori environments for babies and toddlers, one finds children engaged in activities, which support development of physical skills, sensory experiences and their emerging independence. The Montessori numeracy and arithmetic materials offer a systematic approach to learning about the integrity of numbers in relation to numerals, always using objects to support the learning.