Experience the Montessori journey from life

Every child is unique, naturally loves to explore, and is an active learner, and the environment in daily life is an excellent learning scene. HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE KWUN TONG NURSERY SCHOOL has always attached great importance to "following the child", respecting the abilities and interests of each child, and focusing more on integrating Montessori's spirit of independent exploration and learning into daily life, so as to experience Montessori teaching in life.

The school has always taken "child-centered" as its core value and catered to children's growth and development needs, providing life-oriented, sensory exploration and interesting learning experiences. Therefore, the school began to integrate Montessori teaching in 2018. In recent years, it has also carried out the "Montessori Experience Journey from Life" to deepen Montessori teaching strategies, integrate nature and life and Montessori teaching, and apply Montessori attitudes and skills in daily life to enhance children's abilities of independent inquiry, self-solving and active learning. Children in Montessori classrooms can learn and solve problems independently according to their personal interests, goals and needs, and dare to try and challenge, thereby cultivating respect for themselves, others and the environment.

The school continues to incorporate inquiry activities that combine experimentation with self-discovery and manipulation, provides open materials and teaching materials, prepares a learning environment for free exploration, and encourages children to use multiple senses and logical thinking to explore, thereby improving construction and problem-solving abilities. Starting from life, through world maps and a series of teaching materials, children are guided to explore the seven continents of the world starting from Hong Kong, giving children the opportunity to understand the characteristics of different cultures and races in addition to local culture, and expand their knowledge areas. In addition to the existing traditional Montessori teaching aids, the school also incorporates Chinese language teaching materials, Chinese traditional culture, traditional festival characteristics and local feelings of Hong Kong in line with local culture, such as an introduction to the Mid-Autumn Fire Dragon Dance, exploration of giant panda cubs, Hong Kong transportation and Hong Kong snacks, etc. to cater to the needs of Hong Kong.

In addition, the school has an outdoor small garden, which has been redesigned and developed into a nature exploration venue. An outdoor Montessori classroom is set up, which includes a creative wood workshop, nature exploration, washing and drying clothes, planting and other work. Children can raise shield-armed turtles, feed golden lion fish, plant, carpentry, wash, dry clothes, clean tables, crush eggshells, plant and fertilize, water, etc. according to their individual interests. Work such as flower arrangement, observation of specimens and nature exploration will not disturb the tranquility of the indoor classroom, but also provide opportunities for children to explore nature. In the spirit of Montessori exploration, they should have an objective and open attitude towards things. Questioning, hypothesis prediction, observation and comparison are used to enhance children's curiosity about nature and life, and allow animals and plants to grow healthily with love.

Enhance home-school collaboration and treat parents as fellow travelers

The school values the opinions of different stakeholders and believes that only by working closely with stakeholders can we bring the greatest benefits to our children. In terms of parent cooperation, parents have always given strong support to the curriculum and policies implemented by the school, and they also practice it and actively participate. During the implementation of the "Montessori Journey from Life Experience", in addition to holding regular Montessori parent workshops every year to allow parents to understand and understand the concepts and characteristics of Montessori, the school also established a Montessori parent volunteer group to recruit volunteer parents to the school, led by Montessori owners. Vice Principal Xiao, who has supervisory qualifications, teaches parents basic knowledge and skills. He also teaches parents the skills of observing children, how to make Montessori teaching aids, demonstration techniques and participation in Montessori activities. He extends the spiritual concept of Montessori teaching to the home. A two-pronged approach can achieve the best results.

Montessori experience day camp allows children to give it a try

The Montessori spirit emphasizes "Follow the child." Every year, the school holds a "Montessori Experience Day Camp" activity for senior children and parents to return to nature, follow the children, and experience peace education. Parents and children can go to the natural farm to cultivate children's independence, self-solving, and mutual respect for nature with the Montessori attitude. Parents and children can enjoy learning Montessori’s spiritual attitude, fire-making skills, cooking vegetarian lunches, using natural methods to clean tableware, and learning about organic planting methods. They can experience farmers’ work and participate in Montessori’s five-sense nature experience activities. During the process, parents allowed their children to boldly try making fires, chopping wood, and cooking, and carefully observed their children's growth. They all expressed their appreciation for their children's independence, bravery, and fearless spirit of trying, and they would try to extend Montessori activities at home, thereby applying Montessori concepts and spirit in their lives.

In addition, the school holds a "Montessori Day" event every year, with the theme of "Children's Day" this year. Through different tasks, parents and children can learn about the characteristics of Children's Day in various countries, including: Chinese pen ceremony and tea ceremony culture, Japanese Boy's Day and Daughter's Day culture, Thai food and Children's Day culture, Swedish Goddess Day and Lobster Festival culture, and African music culture. Through different Montessori activities, we promote Montessori teaching and attitudes in schools, enhance children's understanding of countries around the world, understand local customs and cultures, and understand the world we live in.

Parents’ Day Activities: Gratitude to Parents and the Inheritance of Love

The school continues to cultivate children's gratitude and inherits the excellent Chinese virtues of filial piety in practice. In the "Thanks to Parents, Inheritance of Love" activity, children sincerely invite parents to come to school to experience the children's love and gratitude to their parents. These included: children wrote the poem "Wandering Son" to their parents, held a "tea ceremony" and presented four types of snacks. Finally, children carefully knitted a "heart-warming neck scarf" and a calligraphy scroll with the word "filial piety" in calligraphy to express filial piety. Through various interactive links, children can not only express their respect and love for their parents in practice, but also allow children and their families to spend quality time together and thank their parents for their love. Parents' love for their children is selfless. The school also specially organizes a "Parents' Day Activity", allowing children to prepare venue decorations, tableware, tablecloths, designed menus, food, scented tea bags, etc., and express respect for their families with a meal full of love.