Environment

Learning Environment

Observations and lessons take place in a carefully prepared environment containing materials designed to assist the students in their development and to be their own teachers. In this environment each child has the freedom to unfold naturally and learn self-discipline and responsibility through movement and interaction with the materials and the people with whom they share the environment. Materials in each of the five curriculum areas are sequenced in order of difficulty and coincide with the sequence of development in all children. Each child works through the sequence in his/her own way and time according to his/her own nature.

	Practical Life - The materials in Practical Life, or exercises in daily living, are designed to develop independence, thus self-esteem, concentration, and attention span, hand-eye coordination and fine motor control.
	Sensorial - Materials in the sensorial area are designed to develop and refine the senses allowing the child to be more acutely aware of the world in which he/she lives. These materials also develop the child's sense of order and indirectly introduce geometry and mathematics.
	Math - The math materials provide the child with a concrete representation of abstract math concepts. This 'hands on' experience forms a foundation of understanding for later work in math.
	Language - Materials and activities in this area develop in the child a love for language and the skills necessary for communication. The entire environment is a rich source for oral language development and offers reading and writing in a variety of content areas.
	Cosmic - Materials and activities in the cosmic areas area are designed to increase the child's awareness of the total environment in which they live, their place in it, and the people, plants, and animals that share it with them. These materials and activities and the discussions associated with them nurture the natural curiosity children possess regarding the world around them.

Opportunity for creative expression is inherent in many of the classroom materials and activities. Children are introduced to a variety of music, movement forms, and art mediums. Detailed preschool/kindergarten and elementary curriculum guidelines are available for examination at the school office. The Whole Earth Montessori environment nurtures the total development of the child.