Български
EnglishThe Montessori Approach
We consider each child as an individual and focus on his/her unique personality. Our goal is to develop individuals who are curious and inquisitive about the environment and nature surrounding them, who grow up free, loved, self-reliant, self-disciplined, empathic and broad-minded.
We encourage children to evolve by following their capabilities, talents and dreams. Our idea is in absolute compliance with the philosophy and practice of the Montessori method and pedagogy, which allows the child to explore the world to its fullest and grow into a complete person by following his/her inner needs.
Individual Approach
In Montessori preschool Casa dei Bambini, we treat each child with respect towards his/her individual needs, interests and capabilities. We always take into account their age and focus on their freedom of choice. We’re considerate of all children’s personality and rights, and encourage them to play and engage with the other children and adults.
We have certain rules in the group and we insist on following them: order in relationships with others, order in space, and order in time (daily routine).
Carefully Prepared Environment
The Montessori materials are the key to the learning process. The function of the Montessori teacher in the classroom is different from that of a traditional teacher. Initially the teacher observes the child and determines his/her interests and stage of development. After that the teacher carefully plans appropriate activities for each child and stimulates him/her to work with the relevant educational materials in the prepared environment, so that the child can learn based upon what he/she is interested in at the moment.
In the prepared Montessori environment the child can find the materials in their places, fully equipped and in perfect order. The sense of order is innate to children. Structure gives them security and internal comfort, and helps them accommodate and adapt swiftly and with ease.
Most of the Montessori materials have a built-in control of error, which allows the child to detect his/her mistake and correct it without unnecessary adult intervention. This helps the children build consistency, confidence and acceptance of mistakes. Gradually the order within the surroundings turns into internal order. In other words – we create a prepared environment everywhere.
Montessori preschool Casa dei Bambini is equipped with original Montessori materials and furniture that complies with international standards. The educational materials are made of natural resources and respond to the needs of children from 3 to 6 years for learning and refinement of skills. The Montessori materials are divided into several categories: activities of everyday living, sensorial, literacy and language, mathematics, knowledge and understanding of the world and art.
Activities of Everyday Living
The educational materials from the activities of everyday living area help children to carry out the same daily activities they do at home – sweeping, polishing, dusting, watering plants, food preparation, table setting and clearing, washing-up dishes, etc. An important part of the weekly curriculum is the cooking classes, during which the children master new practical life skills whilst preparing delicious food.
These meaningful activities help the children to achieve independence, self-esteem and confidence. While using real objects, they are able to perfect their coordination, concentration, independence, skilfulness, and care for themselves and for others, as well as learning how to be patient, kind and graceful. Through using the materials, the child learns that there is order and structure in every action. These activities also develop gross and fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination and cognitive processes: attention, memory, etc.
Sensorial
The Montessori materials for refinement of the senses help the child to understand his/her surroundings, whilst learning through using his/her senses. Each material isolates one concept for the child to discover such as shade of colour, weight, size, shape, texture, sound, smell, taste, etc. The child not only discovers the properties of objects but also gets to know the order and structure of learning.
Through the materials the child gets an idea of dimensions, spatial awareness of objects, exercises sequences, and learns to sort and classify information he/she receives from the environment. Using all of their senses the children build concepts of the material world, which are the groundwork for the development of abstract thinking.
Mathematics
The Montessori mathematics materials help the child to associate quantities with the corresponding mathematical symbols. The materials assist the child to look for logic and order. By manipulating concrete objects, even very young children can visualise addition, multiplication, subtraction and division, fractions and four-digit operations. The child always works and learns starting from the concrete example and moving towards the abstract concept; thus a solid foundation is made for the child to visually understand the abstract mathematical symbols.
Language and Literacy
The purpose of the Montessori language and literacy materials is to create a natural transition towards the development of reading and writing skills. Initially the child learns the phonetics of the language followed by beginning to build short, mostly three-letter words. After that the child starts to build longer words and sentences. When the child has learned how to construct words and how to write, he/she continues with reading at her/his own pace.
In the course of the Bulgarian and English language sessions the children participate in many language games which develop listening skills and auditory memory, lay grammar basics, introduce phonetics, strengthen speech and comprehension of a fictional story, storytelling, and prepare the children for reading and writing. The teachers work individually with each child so that he/she fulfils the state educational criteria for their respective age. In the English sessions the teachers work with the same original Montessori materials that are used in the United Kingdom. There is also a reading nook where the children can sit comfortably and have direct access to the bookshelf.
Knowledge & Understanding of the World
In the period when children are highly conscious of their surroundings, topics relating to geography, history, biology and other sciences help them understand the existing world. Children comprehend what is their role in the world and grasp the idea that they are actually a part of the world as a whole.
Geographical maps, country flags maps, materials about cardinal directions, the life cycles of plants and animals, dinosaurs, educational games about Olympic sports and vehicles, sensorial materials about planets and nature cycles, and various experiments – these are only a small part of all the materials children have access to throughout their day in the preschool.
