A Day in the Life of a Montessori Student at Vidyanjali Academy

Have you ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a Montessori student? Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. To gain better insight into the Montessori method and philosophy, it helps to walk through a day in the life of a Vidyanjali Academy student.

Morning Routine

The school day at Vidyanjali Academy starts early. As a parent, you’ll want to ensure your child arrives at school by 8:15 am each morning. This gives them plenty of time to settle into the classroom environment and prepare for the day ahead.

When you drop off your child, a teacher warmly greets them. The teacher will help your child hang up their belongings and get ready to start the day. This routine helps your child transition smoothly into the school setting.

Morning Work  Time

After arriving and getting settled, your child will choose a Montessori material as if he has already thought about it on the way to school. He carries the material carefully, not dropping it, hitting anyone in his way, or walking over other’s works. He starts working (not playing) independently and responsibly. He works with it several times. Once he is done He keeps back the material in the same place the way he found it. He chooses some other material and continues to work. This continues for 1 - 2 hours. If another child is using a material they want, they patiently wait for the material to become available again the equipment.  

Sometimes, he offers a hand in returning that material to its place. The children follow the rule of getting the material from the place of display. Once the material is shifted to the display. The child carries the equipment to his mat for working with it.

When he gets hungry, he goes to the snack corner, gets a plate, helps himself with two pieces of papaya, two soaked almonds, and a date, sits on the chair at the snack table, and eats leisurely. After eating, he washes and wipes his plate and keeps it on the rack. Then, he arranges a plate on the snack table for another child and continues working. 

The teacher may invite the child to demonstrate new activity or for a group lesson. The older children can choose to work in groups or to play in Montessori sports activities.

Montessori Circle Time

Circle time is around 11:30. The teacher may start with a cheerful song or game to energise the group. Then, students might discuss the calendar, weather, and and demonstrate some good manners, which are called Social Behaviour activities. This community circle helps orient students and builds a positive classroom dynamic.

Montessori Organized Lunch

After the opening circle, your child will have lunch brought from home. Lunch is considered a very important part of their learning. It is called ‘Organized Lunch’. Unlike snacks, all students have their meals together. The senior children unroll the lunch mats and arrange the plates. Children get their lunch bags, put small amounts from their tiffin boxes onto their plates, and help themselves when they feel like it.

After eating, they empty the disposables into the dustbin. Older children roll the mats sweep and mop the place. The younger ones offer their help if they like. During lunch, the teachers discuss nutrition, the names of fruits and vegetables, manners of eating, the value of food, etc.  

After lunch, some children sit on the sofa and chit-chat with their friends for some time. Some children start working as if they have new energy—the thoughtfully prepared Montessori learning environment. From practical life skills to math tools, the classroom is filled with hands-on materials to capture your child’s natural curiosity.

Your child might choose to practice fine motor skills by spooning beans or develop coordination by walking on a line painted on the floor. Or, your child may practice early math concepts with beads and counting rods or collaborate to do addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. There are endless possibilities!

The Role of the Teacher

During this self-directed work time, the Montessori teacher plays an observational role. Rather than lecturing at the front of the room, the teacher moves unobtrusively around the space. They carefully watch how students interact with the lessons and materials.

The teacher offers guidance as needed, providing just enough assistance without taking over the learning process. Their goal is to foster independent and joyful discovery.

Typical Activities and Learning Modules

As the morning progresses, your child engages in a variety of activities across different learning areas:

●       Practical Life: Watch as your little one learns to tie shoelaces, polish silver, or prepare a simple snack. These activities might seem simple, but they're building crucial life skills and developing concentration and coordination.

●       Sensorial: Your child might work with the colour tablets, matching and grading shades, or explore geometric shapes with the metal insets. These materials help refine the senses and lay the groundwork for more advanced learning.

●       Language: See your 4-year-old tracing sandpaper letters, feeling the shape of each sound. Or your 5-year-old is building words with the movable alphabet, taking their first steps into reading and writing.

●       Mathematics: Marvel at how concrete materials like the number rods or the decimal system make abstract mathematical concepts tangible. Your child might be counting beads, learning place value, or even beginning simple operations.

●       Cultural Studies: Explore the world through puzzle maps, learn about different cultures, or dive into simple science experiments. These activities spark curiosity about the world and lay the foundation for future studies.

Throughout the morning, your child moves freely between these areas, following their interests and working at their own pace. The Montessori method at Vidyanjali recognises that children have natural learning rhythms and respects these individual patterns.

Snack and Break Times

Mid-morning, your child will take a break to enjoy a healthy snack. Snack time allows children to regroup and refuel. It’s also an opportunity to practice etiquette skills like passing a plate and using please and thank you.

Your child sits with classmates, chatting over their food. This builds a sense of togetherness and community. The teacher may also lead a song or finger play during this cosy time.

Outdoor Play and Physical Activities

After focused classroom work, your child will have a much-anticipated recess break. This gives your child a chance to run, play, and blow off steam outdoors. Your child may enjoy playing on equipment, creating games with friends, or participating in a group activity led by the teacher.

Regular vigorous exercise and fresh air are important for children’s health, development, and concentration. Recess allows for this physical release so your child can return to the classroom restored and re-centred.

Circle Time: Coming Together

Following outdoor play, it’s time to transition back to classroom learning. The teacher gathers students once again for a circle gathering.

Sitting together on the rug, the class might sing songs or recite poetry. The teacher may read an engaging picture book to spark discussion. Your child also has the chance to share news or stories from their experiences.

This community circle promotes listening skills, language development, and social connection. It bonds the class before they return to independent work.

Continued Learning Modules

After gathering as a group, your child can resume exploring the prepared Montessori environment. They now have the chance to engage in new, multisensory learning modules based on their developmental level and interests.

Your child may be introduced to botany by examining parts of a flower. Or they might learn about geometry through hands-on shapes and solids. Cultural studies expose your child to geography, science, and global awareness.

The teacher ensures a wealth of purposeful activities are on offer to captivate your child’s mind and foster a true love of discovery and learning.

Special Programs and Extracurricular Activities

Vidyanjali enriches the Montessori curriculum with special programs. Your child might have a music lesson, learning rhythm and melody through fun, age-appropriate activities. Or it might be an art class, where they explore different mediums and express their creativity.

The school also organises field trips, bringing learning to life outside the classroom. Imagine your child's excitement as they visit a local farm, connecting their classroom learning about plants and animals to the real world.

Lunch Routine

Around midday, your child will enjoy a well-balanced lunch with their classmates. Similar to snack time, lunch allows students to refuel while practising social skills. Your child will continue developing independence by opening containers, clearing their place, and assisting with cleanup.

Lunch also provides a needed break in the routine of focused learning. Eating and conversing together helps strengthen relationships and recharge for the remainder of the day.

Afternoon Work Cycle

Fortified after eating, your child dives back into their afternoon work cycle. They can choose to continue activities started earlier or introduce new lessons. This block of time allows for deep focus and concentration without interruption.

Your child may also receive one-on-one instruction from the teacher during this period. This tailored guidance helps advance your child’s skills and understanding. They gain confidence through individual support.

Specialty Subjects

In addition to self-directed Montessori work, your child also benefits from weekly specialty subjects. For example, they may have music class, where they learn to sing songs, play instruments, and appreciate melody. Art class allows creative expression through painting, drawing, and 3D crafting.

Physical education class provides active play and games that build gross motor skills. These supplemental classes enrich your child’s learning and development in important ways.

End of the Day Routine

As the school day nears its end, your child may start reflecting on all they accomplished. During group circle time, the teacher may ask students to share details about their work or name their favourite activity.

This encourages your child to practice summarising and verbal communication. It also gives the teacher insight into your child’s progress and engagement.

Before you pick them up, your child will neatly organise the classroom materials and tidy their personal belongings. This resets the environment for the next day and gives your child a sense of closure.

Saying goodbyes and departing with their classmates completes your child’s full day of enriched Montessori learning. They likely head home tired but fulfilled, excited to return tomorrow.

Parent Communication and Involvement

As a parent, you play a pivotal role in your child’s Montessori education. Vidyanjali Academy encourages parents to engage through constant communication, orientation, and parent empowerment programs. In addition, you will have an opportunity to observe your child at work in observation sessions. You will also be given an opportunity to understand the Montessori equipment through demonstrations, first-hand experiences, and constant open communication.

You may volunteer to share your profession, hobby, or talent with your child’s class. Special celebrations and observations allow you to participate in the classroom environment. Parent-teacher conferences keep you informed of your child’s growth and progress.

The Vidyanjali staff also provides regular newsletters, emails, and progress reports. You are encouraged to contact teachers about your child’s needs, achievements, or concerns. This vital home-school partnership supports your child’s success.

The Proven Montessori Method

A day at Vidyanjali Academy is full of fun, learning, and discovery. From the morning routine to various activities in practical life, language, math, and cultural studies, your child will be engaged and excited to learn. The balanced schedule includes time for snacks, outdoor play, and special programs, ensuring your child gets a well-rounded education.

The Montessori approach helps children learn at their own pace with the support of caring teachers. This method builds important life skills, promotes academic growth, and fosters a strong sense of community. Your child will benefit from an education that prepares them for both school and life.

Give your child the gift of an amazing education at Vidyanjali Academy. Join our family and watch your child thrive!

FAQs

1. What time does the school day start and end at Vidyanjali Academy?

A: The school day starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:30 PM.

2. How does the Montessori method differ from traditional teaching methods?

A: The Montessori method emphasises self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and a child- centered approach, allowing children to learn at their own pace. In contrast, traditional methods often rely on teacher-led instruction and a standardised curriculum.