SYLLABUS

The syllabus includes five sections:

1.  Child Psychology:  Even as an overview of the Montessori approach on human development from birth to adulthood is presented, the main emphasis is on the Psychology and development of the child through 2 ½ to 6 years.  The child is viewed as the builder of the human personality.  Special emphasis is laid on the psychic posters and the sensitive periods for the construction of the human faculties which lead to the total development (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social development) of the child.

    II.   The theory of the Montessori method:  The lectures deal with the origin and development of the      
           Montessori method. The role and the attitude of the adult, the function of  ‘Prepared Environment’ and the                
           Montessori materials ( the means of development ) and the mode in which they satisfy the vital needs of
           self- formation form an important part of this section.  All lectures converge around the concept of    
           Education as help to life and the child as the lever of human upliftment.
    III.   Practical demonstration lectures:  These deal with the function and presentation of the materials offered
             to children of  2 ½ to 6 years of age in a Montessori environment.  According to their functions and  
              purpose , they are divided into five distinct areas:

1. The Exercises of Practical Life:  These help the child acquire coordination of movement, independence, and  awareness in daily life.
2. Sensorial Activities:  These serve as means for intelligent exploration of environment and cognitive development.
3. Language:  Here we include the refinement of the spoken language, the historical and the psychological background of the written language, and the spontaneous explosion of the written language. This area also encompasses introduction of the elements of grammar, reading, creative dramatics and children’s literature.
4. Mathematics:  In this area, the child is helped to gain an understanding of the concepts of numbers, the four arithmetical operations.  These activities help develop the mathematical mind of the child.  These also present to the child the decimal system of numeration and the geometrical relationship

     IV. Cultural activities:  These expose the child to the basics in Geography, History, Botany, the Physical and     
           life science
      V. In addition, the organization and administration of a new House of children as  well as tackling initial  
           problems that may arise are also dealt with as part of  this section.