Preschool
- Activities
- Preschool
The important years
Maria Montessori saw pre-school as a crucial period in a child’s development. She emphasized that children at an early age have a natural ability to absorb knowledge from their environment and that the preschool should support this through a stimulating and well-ordered environment. We called this phase the ‘sensitive period’, meaning that the child develops basic skills such as independence, concentration and respect for their environment, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. The preschool years are crucial, as children have an absorptive mind and absorb knowledge easily. Early childhood educators work to promote the independent, exploratory and personal development of each child.
Keys to development
Our preschool has toddler and sibling sections. The preschool works according to the curriculum, which describes the preschool’s values and mission, and contains goals and guidelines for the work in the preschool. We have trained preschool teachers, Montessori educators and nannies. Through a stimulating environment and educational
diversity, we create the keys to each child’s development.
Safe and active learning
Lilla Förskolan consists of three sections for the youngest children, with room for 13 children per section, aged 1-3 years. Three educators work in each department and work closely together during the day. Our ambition is to create a safe and inspiring environment for the very youngest children. We follow the Montessori pedagogy and adapt the activities to the children’s needs.
Young children need a lot of physical activity and adults who have time to talk to them, listen, sing, comfort, read stories and more. They need gross motor activities such as walking, climbing, running, cycling and jumping. We encourage the youngest children to be independent by practicing practical everyday tasks, such as setting the table for lunch and snack, going to the toilet, and dressing and undressing themselves.
The materials used are carefully selected and presented in a simple and appealing way. Children work with practical and sensory materials adapted for young children. These can be the subject of exercises such as pouring, polishing and baking. Children are given time to work at their own pace and are encouraged to learn and try new things. Each child is given the opportunity to discover and explore the environment on their own terms, both inside and outside.
A safe and inspiring learning environment
At Stora Förskolan, children aged 3-6 years attend mixed-age groups. Our ambition is to create a safe and inspiring learning environment where all children will thrive and develop. We have Montessori sessions where the work with the material is constantly adapted to the child’s development and maturity, all in a playful and inspiring way for the best learning. In the prepared environment, the teachers guide the children to knowledge and learning.
In our Montessori classrooms, furniture and materials are adapted to the children’s interests, age, maturity and needs. We focus on hands-on activities, sensory materials, language development, math and culture. During daily assemblies, we practice social skills and place great emphasis on observing individual children’s needs and interests in order to provide the right challenges for children to develop their knowledge and skills.
By following Maria Montessori’s motto “Help me to do it myself“, children develop into independent individuals early in life.