Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
The approach to reading and writing in the Children's House takes advantage of young children's intense interest in language. Many opportunities are provided for enriching vocabulary and the mechanics of reading and writing are learned with ease. The children discover that words are made up of sounds, which are represented by letters. A child may in fact "write" before being able to read, building words with loose alphabet letters. This will lead to the exciting discovery of how to de-code words - reading!
Reading is an active occupation in the Children's House. One child may match names to pictures, several may share a game placing labels on objects around the room or carrying out interesting written commands; another may choose to relax in an easy chair with a book. Fluency, comprehension and appreciation grow from the child's activity. Writing skills, rules of spelling and elements of grammar are all part of a day's work and play. This un-pressured atmosphere in which younger and older children work together enables each individual to progress at his or her own pace.
Fundamental aspects of mathematics are introduced in the Children's House. Children discover what a number really is through a series of enjoyable activities with attractive and inviting materials, which may be handled, carried around or shared with others. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are experienced in cooperative games and through individual work and a gradual progression is made towards abstract operations. The children are also exposed to the laws of geometry and algebra as they use and observe other Montessori materials throughout the day.