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Why Montessori?

The Montessori Method is a child-focused educational approach that is based on scientific observations of child development. It takes the view that children are naturally eager to learn, and capable of absorbing a tremendous amount of knowledge through experiences in their environment. This method is hands-on, experienced based and follows the needs of the child and adapts to different learning styles.

The classroom is a carefully prepared environment that supports the child’s natural desire the learn. The classroom embodies elements such as natural lighting, soft colors, and uncluttered spaces to set the stage for activity that is focused and calm. Learning materials are displayed on accessible shelves, fostering independence as students go about their work. Everything is where it is supposed to be, conveying a sense of harmony and order that both comforts and inspires. In this safe and empowering environment, students find joy in learning.

"The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself , his greatest implement, is being formed."

- MARIA MONTESSORI

OUR CLASSROOM

practical life

Practical life is unique among early childhood environments. This area provides meaningful and purposeful activities which lead to more complicated work as children refine their fine motor skills through repetition. The Practical Life activities help children become responsible members of society. The activities help them learn and express a sense of order, independence, respect for the environment, respect for others and at the same time, help to refine their concentration and hand-eye coordination. The Montessori Practical Life shelves are full of activities to reinforce pouring, spooning, tonging, dusting, sweeping, napkin folding, mixing colors, making bubbles, folding laundry, hanging clothes, using a screwdriver, locks and keys, screws and bolts, setting a table, using a whisk, etc. Activities change regularly so there are always new and exciting activities to refine the children’s fine motor skills and promote increased concentration skills.

Photo by Joaquin Corbalan/iStock / Getty Images

Sensorial

The Montessori Sensorial curriculum promotes the development and refinement of the five senses. Children learn through their senses and all materials in a Montessori environment provide learning through touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing or hands-on manipulation, “nothing comes to the intellect that is not first in the senses” - Maria Montessori. Sensorial exercises demonstrate an introduction to Math using the Base Ten Mathematical or Decimal System, “Therefore, we think of our Sensorial materials as a system of materialized abstractions, or of basic mathematics” - Maria Montessori

Language

The Language area encourages development of early-literacy skills through the use of phonetic sounds. We utilizes games and effective teaching tools to help children learn to decode phonetic sounds, words, phonograms, and sight words. It is powerful in promoting early reading and writing skills using a variety of games and activities. Dr. Maria Montessori realized that there is a sensitive period of language development and that the richer the learning environment, the more beneficial for the acquisition of a child’s skills and love of reading and writing.

MATH

Children are given a concrete way to explore the “hands-on” math materials. Abstract math concepts become easier to comprehend. The Montessori Math materials cover recognition of math patterns, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, short and long, fraction work and skip counting.

CULTURAL

The cultural area encompasses a variety of subjects such as geography, zoology, botany, science Art and Music.

Our Geography lessons allow the children to understand their own culture as well as many others. Cultural subjects provide a wide array of activities including learning about the continents of the world and their uniqueness such as animals and habitats.

Our Botany studies include learning about plants - what they look like, how to take care of them and how they grow etc. so they may appreciate nature and have hands-on experiences with plants.

The study of Zoology shows children animals from all around the world (where they live, their unique Ecosystems, what they eat, how they grow, etc.)

Our Art shelves and lessons provide a variety of open-ended art activities that include; stamping, cutting, modeling dough, collage activities, coloring, tracing, painting, crayon rubbings, etc.

Music in the classroom happens everyday. Music helps children gain an understanding of language and develop their cognitive, social and emotional skills in a constructive and fun way. We also take time to learn about many different types of music from around the world, different styles of music and instruments.

OUTDOOR

The children have a daily opportunity to experience the outdoors. Our outdoor environment offers many opportunities for gross motor skills and play. The Montessori outdoor environment fosters respect and appreciation for nature and there are plenty of opportunities for raking, watering the garden, picking fruit, planting, running, jumping, bubble blowing and discovering.