The afternoon session for ages approximately 4½ through 6 is an important part of the Montessori program because it gives the older students a chance for more lessons and practice with advanced learning materials. The afternoon includes lunch, outdoor play time, a group time with stories, music or a new presentation, and individual work time.
The afternoon is the older students' time to develop more advanced skills and make discoveries about the world. A favorite advanced activity is the golden bead chain (30’ long!) from which children learn about numbers and their relationships. The children love to lay out, count, and label each tenth bead, up to 1000. Children might also be involved with maps, reading, writing, , researching and preparing science experiments, or an art or other special project. These activities build the older children's academic skills. The kindergarten year in our Montessori classroom is especially rewarding, helping students develop the concentration, work habits, social skills, and confidence that will help them succeed throughout their lives.
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