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Preschool Program

 

Children touch and manipulate everything in their environment. In a very real sense, the adult mind is hand made, because it is through their movement, exploration, and manipulation that children build up a storehouse of impressions about the physical world. Children learn by doing, and this requires movement and spontaneous investigation.

Montessori children are free to move about, working alone or with others at will. They may select any activity and work with it as long as they wish, so long as they do not disturb anyone, damage anything and put it back where it belongs when they are finished.

Many exercises, especially at the early childhood level, are designed to draw their attention to the sensory properties of objects within the environment: size, shape, color, texture, weight, smell, sound etc. Gradually, children learn to pay attention, seeing more clearly small details in the things around them. They begin to observe and appreciate their environment, which is key in helping them discover how to learn.

Montessori classrooms tend to fascinate children and their parents. They are normally bright, warm, and inviting, filled with plants, animals, music and books. There are interest centers filled with intriguing learning materials, mathematical models, maps, charts, fossils, historical artifacts, computers, scientific apparatus, perhaps a small natural science museum and animals that the children are raising.
 

·         Classes are composed of mixed ages

·         There is individual instruction

·         The children are free to choose their own work

·         Children progress at their own rate

·         There are specialized materials for specific
                   concepts

·         Manipulative Math materials are used

·         Phonics is used to teach Reading

 

Half Day/Year Round Program

While the Montessori classroom emphasizes individual skills, the ChildCare includes group play, role-playing, construction toys and art projects. The philosophy of both programs is the same, to foster the independence of the child and to allow each child to develop at his/her own rate. The Half-Day program is for all children, ages 2 1/2 to 6 years, who are just entering Montessori. The children explore and work in an environment rich in materials from the following areas:

·         Daily living skills

·         Sensory training (colors, shapes and dimension)

·         Phonics and beginning Writing

·         Manipulative Math

The child's day includes a work period, a healthy snack, group time and outside playtime. The class size is 15 to 24 children with two teachers.