Montessori in the classroom

Montessori is an approach to education that values the child's spirit and the development of the whole child, making sure the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs are met. The 3-6 year old child is like a sponge, ready and eager to soak in information from the world surrounding them. The Montessori classroom is a specially prepared environment which allows for a whole child approach to teaching. The students are encouraged to explore all subject areas using hands on learning materials. The role of the Montessori teacher is to act as a careful observer of the child and as a guide. The goal of the teacher is to create an atmosphere of calm, order, and joy in the classroom and to intervene less and less as the child develops. The teacher is there to encourage and help the children in all of their efforts allowing the child to develop self confidence and inner discipline. 

Curriculum Description 

The whole child approach - Activities in the classroom promote the development of social skills , emotional growth, and physical coordination as well cognitive preparation for future intellectual academic endeavors. 

Sensorial: this area of the curriculum develops discrimination ability. Enabling the child to order, classify, and describe sensory impressions in relation to length, width, temperature, mass, color and pitch.  

Practical Life: this area of the curriculum enhances the development of task organization and cognitive order through care of self, care of the environment, exercises of grace, courtesy and coordination of physical movement.  

Mathematics: this area of the curriculum makes use of the manipulative materials to enable the child to internalize concepts of number, symbol, sequence, operations, and memorization of basic facts.  

Language Arts: this area of the curriculum includes oral language development, written expression, reading, the study of grammar, and children’s literature. Basic skills in writing and reading are developed through the use of sandpaper letters, movable alphabet, and various presentations allowing the children to link sounds and letter symbols effortlessly and to express their thoughts.

Cultural: this area of the curriculum involves cultural activities to expose the child to the basics in geography, history, and life sciences. Music, art, and movement education are all part of the integrated cultural curriculum.

We offer a morning program which  begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 11:50 AM.  

Students enroll for a ten month, five days/week program with a special three day program for young three year old students. Our program has students from three to six years of age.       

In addition to the Montessori curriculum other learning opportunities are included throughout the school year: 

Yoga

Music

Foreign Language

Art