The Holly Park Montessori Nursery for children 2 - 5 1/2 years

The Practical Life Activities such as washing, polishing, pouring, ironing etc. help the child master the necessary skills for daily living. Apart from the obvious enjoyment and skills thai the child gains from these activities they help towards the building of the child's confidence, self esteem and independence.

The Montessori Sensorial Materials help the children learn about the world through all their senses. The child may learn, for example, to build a tower using pink cubes, match geometric shapes and colours, listen to sounds, or feel different textures with their fingers. Experiences like these are essential for the child to make sense of the world around him/her.

Language development is important in all young children. In a Montessori School a child is encouraged to develop their communication skills and to master the physical skills necessary for writing. Sandpaper letters are used to help the children learn the sounds of the alphabet and once a child is able to read a few words there are endless games which encourage the child in this exciting new phase of learning.

Maths. A child gains concrete experience in number, their quantities and the mathematical operations using a full range of Montessori maths equipment which then leads to a more abstract understanding of number.

The child also gains experience in other subjects such as art, crafts, nature, botany, geography, science, history, religions and festivals around the world, music and movement and cookery.