CURRICULUM AND METHODOLOGY
Medina Montessori curriculum at the Primary level addresses the needs of the whole child and is based on the Montessori planes of development. The curriculum is designed to promote the students’ cognitive, physical, social-emotional, spiritual, and psychological development. Activities provide purpose, procedure, closure, and opportunity for success. Our curriculum integrates Dr. Maria Montessori’s fundamental philosophy of the child and the core areas of Practical Life (including grace and courtesy and care of self, others, and the environment), Sensorial, Math, Language, Peace and Cultural Subjects (including Geography, Botany, Zoology, Physical Science, Art, and Music).
The learning environment is student-centered and designed to promote the development of order, coordination, concentration, independence, cooperation, collaboration, inner discipline, self-motivation, self-regulation, and respect for self, others, and the environment. Self-directed learning includes choice, learning from built-in controls of error, and completing cycles of work by choosing, completing, and returning materials.
The learning environment is student-centered and designed to promote the development of order, coordination, concentration, independence, cooperation, collaboration, inner discipline, self-motivation, self-regulation, and respect for self, others, and the environment. Self-directed learning includes choice, learning from built-in controls of error, and completing cycles of work by choosing, completing, and returning materials.
KEY CONCEPTS AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL
ORDER & NORMALIZATION
The classroom is designed to appeal to the child’s innate
sense of order. Montessori materials reflect the natural order found in all creation. The Montessori teacher is trained to follow a precise methodology in harmony with the child’s fitrah to support the integrity of the whole child. The child is allowed to return to a state of normalcy and the true nature of the child emerges that is “salih” naturally living in harmony with self, others, and the environment by Allah’s will. “A unique type of child appears, a ‘new child’; but really it is the child’s true ‘personality’ allowed to construct itself normally.” |
ABSORBENT MIND
Dr. Maria Montessori observed that children of the ages 0-6 experience sensitive periods in which they possess an enhanced ability to absorb information from the environment and are able to develop particular skills rapidly. The infant learns to roll over, sit up, walk, talk without explicit instructions by adults. This inner teacher is what allows each child to construct knowledge. “The child has a type of mind that absorbs knowledge and instructs itself… Within a child there is a very scrupulous teacher.”
|
PHYSICAL COORDINATION
We appreciate the deep connection between the physical and
the spiritual self. We see this wisdom in the fact Allah (swt) ordered our prayer to involve movements that profoundly impact the soul. At Medina Montessori we incorporate coordinated movement into the curriculum to enhance not only the physical but also the cognitive, emotional and spiritual development of the child. “It happens that if a child is prevented from using his powers of movement as soon as they are ready, this child’s mental development is obstructed.” |
INDEPENDENCE
We believe that all living things are endowed with an inner drive to grow and develop according to a divine plan and that the human being is set on a path at birth toward self-realization. We support and encourage the child’s natural quest for independence by providing easy access to age appropriate materials, allowing freedom to explore the prepared environment and offering assistance only as needed. “Any unnecessary assistance to a child is a hindrance.” Concentration: We allow children to work without interruption so as to achieve a state of deep concentration that is at once calming to the spirit and supportive of the child’s true
nature (fitrah). “The essential thing is for the task to arouse such an interest that it engages the child’s whole personality.” |