Nursery World - The Montessori approach

Under the Montessori method, children are motivated to practise and refine their motor skills in many everyday, real-life situations. Practitioners sometimes disregard basic activities which promote motor development, as they do not view them as either play or learning. It is important to realise the potential of tasks such as washing-up, tidying and re-organising. Maria Montessori (Hainstock, 1986) was very specific in her approach to teaching motor skills, and included everyday activities as part of the curriculum. These included:

Maria Montessori (Hainstock, 1986) was very specific in her approach to teaching motor skills, and included everyday activities as part of the curriculum. These included:

* polishing shoes

* washing hands

* sweeping

* dusting

* folding

* setting

* tables

* sorting

* scrubbing

* peeling

* washing and drying dishes

* cutting and pasting

* pouring rice and water.

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