In 1907, a humble classroom nestled in Rome’s underprivileged district, of San Lorenzo, Casa Dei Bambini, became the birthplace of the Montessori Curriculum. Maria Montessori,, transformed the lives of her pupils, turning them away from street vandalism and towards education. Emphasising practical skills, she fostered an environment where children were engaged in cleaning, gardening, and meal preparation, alongside their daily school work.

Maria’s approach was characterised by pragmatism and positivity. She empowered her students to take pride in their appearance, nurturing clean, well-groomed individuals who were ready to learn. The real-world tasks she incorporated into the curriculum enhanced fine motor skills, honed  concentration, and instilled a sense of order – an excellent foundation for academic work. Not only did this curb vandalism, but it also fostered social and emotional development.

Fast forward to today, and the Activities of Everyday Living serve as the cornerstone of authentic Montessori classrooms worldwide. These activities, aimed at teaching children real tasks, use everyday items. This approach allows children to learn respect for materials and take appropriate care.

The activities evolve to meet the needs of different developmental stages. For toddlers, we focus on self-care, including dressing, hair brushing, and toilet routines. We also introduce more strenuous tasks like scrubbing and gardening, encapsulating Montessori’s motto, “Help me to help myself.”

As the children progress to the pre-primary phase, they refine their motor skills through activities like, pouring, transferring, threading, cutting, and buttoning. They also learn to take care of themselves, their classrooms, and participate in outdoor activities such as gardening and woodwork. Our innovative teaching team continually updates these activities, ensuring that they are relevant and culturally appropriate.

By the primary phase, children apply these skills to daily life, confidently preparing meals, managing classwork, and participating in community service. Their fine motor skills are further refined through knitting and crochet and use of
tools.

A Montessori education nurtures independent, organised individuals who approach life with focus, confidence, and an eagerness to help others. As one of our students beautifully put it, “In Montessori, we don’t just learn, we thrive.”