Chloe Monk

Professor Bottiglieri
EDUC 111

Preschool Reflection
The Montessori’s Five Curriculum Areas help children learn and grow by stimulating
their development. The five areas include: Practical life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and
Cultural. During my observation of the preschool classroom, I noticed that some of these areas
were incorporated into their classroom routine.
Practical life describes the skills children learn that can help them outside of the
classroom. In the class I observed, they were eating lunch at the time. After lunch, the students
had to throw away any food that they did not eat into the trash can. Then they had to put their
plate, cup, and utensils into a container to be cleaned. This routine teaches the students to
clean up after themselves. It gives them a sense of independence and responsibility. Outside of
school, they might have the same responsibilities. For example, after dinner at their house they
can clean up their plate and put it into the sink or dishwasher. At this age, children are
becoming more and more independent. They are learning that they are capable of doing things
by themselves without adult help. However, they still need to be monitored and helped.
Another area that was incorporated into the classroom was language. The class
practices their language skills by reading before their naps. The children are able to choose a
book to read. They sit at their mats and read to themselves or even their teacher. This area is
very important in the life of children. It helps them understand words and letters. At this age,
children are learning recognize letters in words and sound the letters out. As they grow in their
language skills, they will be able to read and recite better.
The Montessori Method believed that children develop naturally in an organized
environment. They believed that children have an absorbent mind, which means they learn
from sensory experiences. Montessori dismissed play as a waste of time. They also believed
that the role of the teacher is to prepare the environment, observe, demonstrate, and to not
interfere with natural exploration. Montessori thought that children should have minimal social
interaction.
During my observation I was able to see similarities and differences between the class
and the Montessori Method. One difference is that at the school I observed, children have
social interaction with one another and their teachers. The Montessori Method wanted their
school to have minimal social interaction between the students. The Montessori Method
dismissed play as a waste of time. The preschool classroom I observed had lots of play areas for
the children. These areas allow the students to be imaginative and interact with one another.
One last difference I noticed is that the teachers are very involved in the classroom. They help
their students where needed and guide their learning of new things. The Montessori Method
on the other hand believed that teachers should just prepare the environment for the students.
They are to observe, demonstrate and not interfere with the natural exploration of children. I
also noticed some similarities. One similarity being that children are taught to be independent.
Another similarity is that children are able to learn through their experiences. The similarities
and differences the classroom had to the Montessori method showed how positive the learning
and teaching of the class was.
Inclusion allows a classroom to be diverse and teaches children about different cultures
and experiences. The classroom includes learning about the Spanish culture and language.
Some of the students in class speak Spanish and English. The classroom also has students that
need more direction and advising than others. The teacher makes it a priority to help these
children. They sit with the students and provide help and support where needed. The classroom
makes inclusion important. It teaches and helps prepare students for real life interactions.