Preschool Program

This program nurtures the needs of children ages 30 months-6 years. While many traditional methods suggest that children are incapable of understanding complex concepts, Maria Montessori recognized that children of this age are like sponges, eager to soak up all that the environment offers them. For this reason, the Early Childhood classroom is very rich and inviting to the children, offering them independent exploration of a carefully prepared environment with materials specifically designed for their unique interests and abilities. This program also emphasizes the responsibilities that each student has in creating a peaceful classroom community. Experience with materials in this classroom lays an essential foundation for future research and understanding in the elementary classrooms.

Areas of study in this class include:

Practical Life – Children learn grace & courtesy, spooning, pouring, digging, painting, tracing, cutting, gluing, polishing, cleaning, fastening (buttons, zippers, tying, sewing), and caring for the self and the environment.

Sensorial & Geometry -- Using the five senses, children are exposed to different sensations including sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. This includes introduction to different geometric figures and shapes through tactile representations of them.

Language -- Children are exposed to phonic sounds, blending sounds, reading, handwriting, creative writing, basic parts of speech, as well as a very rich vocabulary throughout the classroom

Math -- Children learn about quantity of large and small numbers, and have an introduction to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. By using concrete materials that the children can manipulate, they understand complex concepts much earlier than traditional schools allow. Through the materials, the young children learn to understand what they are doing rather than just being taught the techniques to complete an assignment.

Culture & Science -- Children learn about other cultures through stories, art, and classroom celebrations, as well as learning geography through puzzle maps and art activities. -- Children love to understand the world around them and the animals in their lives. They learn to understand their world through lessons about the weather, and basic physical science. They also learn about various animals and plants, their habitats, and the life cycles. Biology and parts of body and their function is another subject of interest.

Art -- The Early Childhood classroom is very hands-on and creative. Therefore, art and music are a part of every subject area, as well as being subjects in their own right. Children experiment with different artistic mediums to create work they can enjoy and be proud of. By fostering children's individual creativity, we stimulate them to take initiative in their own education and to achieve excellence in their work as they work toward their potential.

Music -- Children experiment with tone, pitch, and rhythm, as well as learn many songs for their enjoyment. Music and movement incorporating it into our curriculum brings the work alive for the children, and enriches their experience greatly.