Montessori's early education theory emphasizes the importance of exercise in developing children's ability, and its emphasis on exercise lies in the belief that exercise is not only a way to keep fit, but also can promote children's intellectual and psychological development. Therefore, physical education plays an important role in Montessori's early education, even one of the three major systems of Montessori's early education and training. However, the exercise (also called gymnastics) mentioned by Montessori early education is not what we usually understand. It covers a wide range, so let's take a look today.

Physical characteristics of children

In order to understand children's sports forms, Ms. Montessori learned about babies' physical characteristics. The length of the newborn trunk from the top of the head to the groin is 68% of the body length, 65% at 1 year, 63% at 2 years old and 62% at 3 years old. With the growth of age, this proportion will change continuously until adulthood, and the proportion of adults is usually 50%. Therefore, children's lower limbs are relatively short, which is why children like to crawl like quadrupeds.

Montessori four gymnastics series

Because children have such a length ratio, we adults are ignorant if we ask children to act like us. We can't ask them to walk in small steps, nor can we blame them for always stopping. Moreover, we should design activities that conform to their bodies, rather than reducing the proportion of adult equipment or activities for them to use. Based on this understanding, Montessori designed a set of gymnastics series suitable for children.

1, apparatus gymnastics

All sports equipment must be designed according to the concept of meeting children's sports needs, and ensure that it will not lead to lower limb fatigue. For example, cross parallel wooden sticks between rows of columns, so that children can grasp the railing in the upper row with their hands and put their feet on the railing in the lower layer, so that their gravity will not be completely squeezed on their feet, and they can also see other children playing in the room when playing.

2. floor exercise

Floor exercise is a kind of exercise that does not depend on equipment. According to the instructions, it can be divided into gymnastics and free play. Gymnastics according to instructions can be as simple as marching in a hurry, while free play can be as common as hide-and-seek

3. Educational gymnastics

Educational gymnastics is combined with Montessori's work, such as farming land, planting plants and raising animals. There are also links to enhance finger flexibility, such as dressing, undressing and unbuttoning.

Step 4 breathe gymnastics

Montessori early education also specifically mentioned breathing gymnastics, which is a way to teach children to breathe and help them develop good speaking habits.

Of course, some physical training activities suggested by Montessori are rare in modern teaching, which is related to the development of society. The content of Montessori's early education has been constantly updated with the development of society since it was put forward in the early 20th century.