Do the children have enough opportunities to socialize? Does the day include ample group activities for socialization?
Group activities are included in the Montessori curriculum. The class gathers into groups at the beginning, at movement time, at lunch time and at the end of the day. During group activities, the children’s interest and attention is focused on a specific task, and communication relates to the task. Group activities help develop listening skills and confidence to speak in groups, but children need something else to develop social skills. Group activities have limitations as they do not encourage spontaneous interactions among children. The Montessori program provides individual activities that encourage communication and sharing that is spontaneous, personal and pertinent to what is happening in their lives.
