PRACTICAL LIFE materials. Sometimes referred to as “Everyday Living Exercises,” these teaching tools capitalize on the young child's natural desire to interact in a useful, independent way with her environment. Examples include table washing, pouring, food preparation, using buttons and zippers, folding, sweeping, vacuuming, and basic grace and courtesy exercises.

SENSORIAL materials. Sensorial materials form the core of our early childhood program. Tools such as Touch Boards, Cylinder Blocks, Thermic Tablets, Smelling Bottles and Baric Tablets are just a few examples of materials that allow children to learn information through the formation of sensory impressions. Music and song are integrated throughout the day. Games such as the “Mystery Bag,” the whispering game, and “I spy” stimulate sensory development in a fun, accessible way.

MATHEMATICS materials. At some point in early childhood, a child's mathematical mind “awakens” as she begins to ask, “How much is that?” or “How many may I have?” At this point, the teachers will offer a variety of materials designed to take the child through an understanding of the concrete (quantities) and the abstract (numerals). The foundation tools for our math program are the Number Rods, the Bead Stair and the Decimal System Golden Bead Material. As intellectual maturity warrants, these materials offer tangible ways for young children to explore the decimal system, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, squaring and cubing. (Geometric shapes and solids are also offered to children of all ages and fall within both the categories of sensorial and math materials.)

LANGUAGE ARTS materials. A child's natural interest in writing actually happens quite early, often around age 3. Writing skills and a lifelong interest in literacy begin by supporting this fledging curiosity in ways that inspire joy. Fundamental tools include the Metal Insets, Sandpaper Letters, Language Stepboards, and Moveable Alphabets. While Montessori language materials are firmly rooted in a phonetics approach, it is our belief at Barat that the mechanics must be enriched with other tools including whole language approaches and spoken language experiences.

OTHER materials. The four primary areas are supplemented with lessons in SCIENCE & NATURE, GEOGRAPHY, ART and HISTORY that are integrated throughout the day. Because Montessori is an education theory used internationally, we place emphasis on learning about cultures and lands around the world.

ENRICHMENT CLASSES. At Barat, we offer all students weekly classes in enrichment subjects such as Spanish, yoga, music, art and computers. Enrichment options change yearly. Please speak to the admissions director about current enrichment classes.