What we offer in our 3-5 full day and extended day programs:
- Comprehensive Montessori preschool curriculum that incorporates practical life, Sensorial learning, language, math curriculum and Science curriculum
- Theme based extensive cultural curriculum; which includes culinary activities with our very own in-house professionally trained chef/ teacher
- Reggio and Froebel Influenced nature-based activities
- Weekly French curriculum
- Our fine arts program: this includes monthly Montessori style famous artist studies; weekly theme related fine arts projects, drawing, sculpting lessons, Reggio and nature-based art and more…
- Music and movement and Composer studies
- Yoga / Zumba: offered seasonally
Practical Life
Practical life exercises teach life skills. Teach care for self, for others, and for the environment. The exercises also enable children to develop independence, concentration, self-esteem, confidence, and coordination of movement. With compassion and respect for self, for others, and for the environment; practical life exercises teach life skills that enable children to develop independence, concentration, self-esteem, confidence, and coordination of movement.
Key areas we focus on:
- Care of self (washing and dressing)
- Care of environment (cleaning, care of pets, care for plants and conservationism)
- Grace and courtesy (manners, greetings, and social interactions)
- Control of movement (refining movements and walking inside the classroom)
Language
The Montessori Method follows a phonetic approach. There are many opportunities for the child to experience the natural progression of reading and writing with a wide variety of specially designed materials in our classroom.
Key areas we focus in our language curriculum:
Spoken language is the foundation for writing and then reading.
Phonemic awareness; Phonemic awareness refers to the specific ability to focus on and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. Phonemes are the smallest units comprising the spoken language. Phonemes combine to form syllables and words. For example, the word 'mat' has three phonemes: /m/ /a/ /t/.
Hands-on and tactile language materials; sandpaper letters, and movable alphabet for word building.
Mathematics
Math materials help children learn and understand math concepts by manipulating concrete materials. The children gain a solid understanding of basic mathematical principles that prepare them for abstract thinking later.
Key math areas we focus on:
Use of concrete learning materials:
Examples-number rods, sandpaper numerals, spindle box, bead materials, decimal system introduction, and games
Each activity builds upon another and the child gradually moves from concrete to abstract lessons.
Cultural Studies
We cover a vast array of subjects in our cultural studies.
Geography, Botany, Zoology, Science, Art, and Music are also an important part of our Montessori classroom.
In Montessori environment, children explore cultural activities including maps, music, food, and item of cultural or historical interest of different countries and cultures build awareness of the world around them. The diversity of our children, in conjunction with the large collection of cultural materials helps them develop a respect for all people.
Key cultural areas we focus on:
- Geography (continents, landforms, earth, solar system)
- Zoology (classification, the anatomy of animals ~nomenclatures)
- Botany (classification, functions of plants and environment)
- History (time lines, using a calendar)
- Science (experiments, magnets, observations, and magnification)
Reggio and Froebel Influence
What’s unique about our program is that we offer a progressive Montessori curriculum that is also influenced by the Reggio and Froebel methods of education.
The Reggio Emilia approach is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values each child as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. Every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential and this inborn curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place within it.
We view every child as strong, capable, independent, curious, and full of imagination. We empower children to think, question, investigate, explore, and help direct the journey of learning.
Key Reggio areas we focus on:
- Exploration
- Investigation
- Projects
Froebel firmly believed that every child should be treated as an individual and their unique abilities should be encouraged to grow. In doing so, Froebel believed that teachers could create a learning environment that was harmonious. Children could be happy, allowing them to seek growth in their own unique way.
Froebel also believed in the value of play and individual activities as part of the learning process. When children are allowed to explore who they were as a person, Froebel believed that would allow the child to explore their full potential as a student. Under his theory, young children were exposed to ideas about art, nature, design, and mathematics.
Key Froebel areas we focus on:
- Art
- Nature
- Design
- Creativity
Sensorial
Sensorial materials are designed to help the children develop and refine his or her five senses.
Using sensorial materials, the child is given opportunities to classifying the things around him, which leads to the child making his/her own experiences and discoveries in his environment.
Key Sensorial areas we focus on:
- Sight
- Touch
- Smell
- Taste
- Sound
Kinesthetic or Stereognostic learning:
Kinesthetic learning or tactile learning is a learning style in which learning takes place by the students carrying out physical activities, rather than listening to a lecture or watching demonstrations.
