Children's House at Holly Hill

Montessori-based learning refers to the use and creation of the hands, which instruct the intelligence. Through their work, the children develop a general foundation that includes a positive attitude, inner security and a sense of order, pride in the physical environment, abiding curiosity, a habit of concentration, joyful self-discipline, habits of initiative and persistence, the ability to make decisions, and a sense of responsibility to the group.
Prepared Environment

Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori called the Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitory ability to absorb knowledge without effort or fatigue. The children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities. As an aid to the child’s self-construction, individual work is encouraged. The design of the environment is based upon the principles of simplicity, reality, beauty, and order, a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work. The children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained Directress. The following areas of activity cultivate the children’s ability to express themselves and think with clarity: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural Extensions. The children are encouraged to think for themselves, to solve problems on their own and with others, and to have confidence in their ability to find solutions.

Practical Life

Practical Life exercises instill care for self, care for others, and care for the environment. The activities include many of the tasks children see as part of the daily life in their home such as washing windows, scrubbing tables, pouring water, learning to dress and undress, watering plants, etc. Elements of human cordiality are introduced with the exercises of grace and courtesy. Through these and other activities, children develop muscular coordination, enabling movement and the exploration of their surroundings. They learn to work at a task from beginning to end, and develop their will (defined by Dr. Montessori as the intelligent direction of movement), their self-discipline and their capacity for total concentration
Sensorial

Sensorial materials are tools for development, helping the children build cognitive value, and learn to order and classify impressions. They do this by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, listening, and exploring the physical properties of their environment through the contribution of specially-designed materials
Language

Language is vital to human existence. The Montessori environment provides rich and precise language. When the child has learned the phonetic sounds of the alphabet and has listened for the sound in words when learning them, he is ready to build words with the Moveable Alphabet. The child begins to read phonetic material, and then moves on to more difficult phonetic reading material, and phonogram work. At the same time, good literature in all subjects, beautifully illustrated, is provided
Mathematics

The mathematics materials help the child learn and understand mathematical concepts by working with concrete materials. This work provides the child with a solid foundation for traditional mathematical principles, providing a structured scope for abstract reasoning.
Cultural Extensions

Geography, History, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Art and Music are presented as extensions of the sensorial and language activities. Children learn about other cultures past and present and this allows their innate respect and love for their environment to grow, creating a sense of harmony with humanity and its habitat.

Experiences with nature in conjunction with the materials in the environment inspire a reverence for all life. History is presented to the children through art and music.