Chapter 2 Types of Early Childhood Programs 53
learn to button, zip, tie, and put on
coats and boots. These experiences
are called practical life experiences in the
Montessori curriculum.
The purpose of sensory training is g
to help children learn touch, sound,
taste, and sight discrimination. One
piece of equipment for this training
is a set of sandpaper blocks that vary
in texture. The children are told to
rub their fingers across the blocks. fi
Their goal is to correctly match
blocks with like textures. Musical
bells with varying tones are used in
the same way. Children match bells
that have like tones.
Academics are also stressed in
the Montessori program. However,
before a child is introduced to these
experiences, sensory training must
be mastered. Then, to teach letter
recognition, sandpaper letters are
used. After the teacher introduces
a letter, children are encouraged to
trace the letter with their fi ngertips. fi
Numbers are taught in the same
manner. When a child demonstrates
knowledge of and interest in letters,
reading instruction may be started.
Head Start
In the 1960s, the federal
government designed the Head Start
program to overcome the negative
effects of poverty on young children.
The program mainly provides child
care and education for four- and
five-year-olds from low-income fi
families. More recently, it has added
some programs for infants and
toddlers. Today, Head Start is one
of the most successful preschool
and family support programs in
the country. Head Start programs
may be full-time or part-time. The
programs may be center based or
home based. Head Start provides a
variety of medical and social services
to promote children’s development.
Materials Ma te ri al s used us ed i i n n a a Montessori Mo nt es so ri s s chool ch oo l are ar e designed de si gn ed t t o o help he lp c c hildren hi ld re n learn le ar n with wi th M M
adult guidance. little
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