Montessori Calendar Explained in 7 Simple Steps

Children will learn the concepts of days, months, years, weather, holidays, birthdays, seasons, and special events by using a calendar. It can also introduce intellectual skills and helps your child develop learning habits. It promotes communication, reasoning, and logical thinking. 

Calendars are an essential part of Montessori learning, in the classroom and home. Children learn how to plan and understand how time progresses. It is also a hands-on toy your child can touch and explore by themselves. 

What Are the Types of Montessori Calendars?

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There are two types of calendars you will normally find in a Montessori learning environment, linear and perpetual.

A linear calendar is presented in one long row. The top row usually has a box for each number and a box below is for events. It is normally placed low and horizontal on the wall so children may study it at eye level and be able to access it. It does take up a lot of space and children are able to see how the days pass and what events or special dates are coming up.

A perpetual calendar shows the days of the year without designating the year, or which day of the week dates fall on. This way the calendar can be used for any year.

It is mathematically arranged so that the correct day of the week can be determined for any given date over a wide range of years. It also refers to a desk calendar adjustable for each of many years.

Here are some easy steps you can consider when shopping for the perfect Montessori calendar.

1. Your child's style - The calendar you choose will probably depend on your child’s learning style, age, interests, your own preference, and how in-depth you wish to teach your child the functions.
2. Linear or perpetual - In Montessori there are two types: linear and perpetual calendar. The linear calendar is great for presenting the whole year in one line across the classroom where students can observe the passage of time, learn the concept of years, months, days, and seasons. Perpetual calendars are universal for days, months, and years so that you can use the same calendar board month after month, year after year. That kind of flexibility means you get more learning time for your money.
3. Materials used - Kids learn best with touch and handling items when exploring by themselves. Some calendars are made from wood, paper, cards, or cloth. They may feature water color paint, beads, dials, or number discs to be moved and touched.
4. Sustainable and reusable - Consider seeking out a calendar that makes earth-friendly choices in manufacturing as well as being able to be used again. Many items leave a negative impact on the environment and few are sustainably made. 
5. Time period - Some Montessori calendars focus on the day, the month, and some for the entire year. Choose a calendar with the appropriate time period depending on your learning objectives for your child. Day calendars are great for planning a single day. Month calendars are most popular and help kids plan week to week. Year-long calendars are best for putting the entire year into perspective.
6. Size and shape - Some calendars are linear and display the whole year, one season at a time or one month. This means the whole 12 months is on display and can be over ten feet long horizontally. Other calendars may hang vertically and have additional items hanging from it and need to be placed up high. Other calendars may sit on a shelf or lay flat.
7. Other features - Some calendars offer more than just days, weeks and months. There are many that show the changes of the sun, Earth and moon, year, date, season, weather and moon phases.

Montessori Calendar Benefits

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• Learn date and time vocabulary- While setting the calendar, your child will learn the days of the week, the months of the year, and how to talk about them with other people.
• Build planning and scheduling skills early - By teaching your child the art of planning early in life, you’ll empower them to lead a more focused and calculated life.
• Practical math for life - Children learn basic addition and subtraction while dealing with dates and time. Through a real-life context, your little one will connect the dots between abstract math concepts and real-life application.
• Weather, nature and astronomy - Montessori calendars are part of a comprehensive homeschool and preschool learning curriculum. These calendars connect the time of the year with the changing seasons and moon phases.
• Deadlines and consequences – By setting time limits and due dates for your child’s chores you will teach the worth of follow-through and keeping your word. This means your child will probably gain a little compassion for all the household tasks they see their parents do daily.

Final Thoughts

A calendar will inspire children to learn, and also promote the importance of time at an early age. Develops learning skills, promotes communication, reasoning and logical thinking.