Freedom to Choose within the Prepared Environment

At Acorn Montessori, children are free to choose activities that match their interests and stage of development. Children learn most effectively when they are motivated and engaged. Each activity is carefully demonstrated by a teacher before children are encouraged to use the materials independently and for as long as they wish. Children are free to move around the prepared environment and are supported to ask for resources they need, fostering confidence, independence, and responsibility for their own learning.

Practical Life
The Practical Life area supports the development of fine motor skills, concentration, coordination, independence, and self-confidence. Activities use familiar, everyday objects, helping children make sense of the world around them while developing a strong foundation for learning.

Sensorial
Sensorial materials help children refine and develop their five senses: touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. Through sorting, grading, and sequencing by size and shape, children build the foundations for later mathematical understanding.

Phonics and Early Literacy
Children are introduced to phonics through hands-on materials such as sandpaper letters. Language activities include learning letter sounds and shapes, vocabulary development, word building, sentence construction, and early reading. Phonics is taught one to one, allowing each child to progress at their own pace. Children take home a phonic keyring to support learning at home. The process is fun, inclusive, and pressure free, with many children leaving Acorn as confident early readers.

Writing Area
This area supports the development of pencil control and correct grip through a variety of engaging materials, including metal insets, crayons, chalks, coloured pencils, stencils, hole punches, and whiteboards, encouraging creativity and fine motor development.

Numeracy
Early mathematical concepts are introduced through concrete Montessori materials, enabling children to fully understand number and quantity. Activities include number rods and numerals, sandpaper numbers, spindle boxes, and cards and counters, ensuring strong foundations for future mathematical learning.

Cultural Studies and Understanding the World
This area broadens children’s understanding of the world and their place within it. Children explore different cultures by learning about clothing, food, language, landmarks, and traditions, fostering curiosity and respect for diversity.

Science Shelves
Children explore scientific concepts through hands-on experimentation with magnetism, magnifying tools, measurement, movement, and sensory objects, encouraging curiosity and investigative thinking.

Small World
Themed small world resources linked to topics such as farms, transport, Antarctica, and family life inspire imaginative play and storytelling while supporting language and social development.

Reading Area
A welcoming reading area with a wide range of books available throughout the day. Books are regularly refreshed and linked to current topics to maintain interest and enthusiasm for reading.

Role Play and Home Corner
This area changes regularly in line with class topics and offers opportunities for imaginative and social play, including shops, doctors, vets, space themes, and family role play. This supports communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Outdoor Provision
Children enjoy supervised free play using bikes, balls, hoops, tunnels, slides, and balancing equipment, alongside creative and small group activities. Daily prepared provision, outdoors or in the large hall when weather restricts access, ensures children are inspired and challenged. Both gross and fine motor skills are developed, alongside opportunities to reinforce literacy, numeracy, and creativity.

School Garden
The school garden provides hands-on experiences in gardening, planting, harvesting, and caring for wildlife. Children help maintain the area through weeding and raking, developing responsibility and respect for the environment. Each year, children grow a variety of produce including carrots, peas, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, sunflowers, and flowers.