The Morah’s role is twofold. First, to observe each child to see what he shows interest in or readiness for. Then the Morah stimulates that interest and supports his readiness through exercises and activities with materials that meet the child’s developmental needs.
Depending upon the age and need of the child, he may stay three or four years with the same Morah. This enables the Morah, parents, and child to develop an intimate relationship that allows the Morah to provide the necessary support for the developmental needs of each child. The Morah assists the child in his developmental work related to order, movement, sensory perception, functional independence, social life, spoken and written language, mathematics, and Jewish practices and traditions. The Morah also offers sensorial and language extensions in art, music, biology, physical science, history, and geography.
Although many of the activities in the Bayit seem academically oriented, Derech Eretz Montessori strives to help children develop self-confidence, personal responsibility, and the discipline that comes from within. As the child grows and his ability to participate in the community at large expands, we hope to instill within him a sense of obligation to help others and to seek out positive and appropriate ways to resolve differences or conflicts that may arise.