Help me do it myself

During their earliest and most impressionable years, children develop their confidence from a predictable routine of activities led by quality Montessori guides.  We nurture children through these periods of rapid growth by providing a calm environment, inviting active learners to explore and grow.   We use a toddler’s natural curiosity of language and movement to provide experiences that teach the children about themselves and the world around them.   Everything toddlers engage and participate in is considered work and is valued and respected as such.  The children participate in purposeful and practical activities that they observe adults modeling on a daily basis, including washing dishes, setting the table, and taking care of one’s own body.   A major focus within the Toddler program is identifying the need to use the toilet and appropriately responding to that need which includes the act of undressing and dressing oneself without the assistance of others.  All lessons are designed to develop a toddler’s independence, language, movement, and self-care skills.  Essentially, the guides are providing information and experiences to support the toddlers as they create the foundation for the people they are becoming.

A Love of Learning Starts Here

In the primary program, our goal is to develop a genuine lifelong love of learning. We focus on the whole child, introducing them to activities focused on practical life, sensorial, science, geography, art, math and language. Our rooms are designed to deepen each child’s connection to his physical environment.

During their time in Primary, children remain in the same room with the same teachers and peers for  three years. This large chunk of time allows children to move on to more advanced activities as they are ready, while also being able to revisit more fundamental concepts as needed. This collaborative environment also allows children to teach each other instead of solely relying on their teachers for guidance. The first year in a primary classroom the child is a curious , observant learner.  In the second year, the building year, the child can see where they have been and where they are going as an active learner.  t is during his third year (the traditional kindergarten year) that everything comes to fruition for your child. Reading, writing and mathematical understanding blossom from the many seeds that were planted in the previous two years. The child leaves the program with a strong set of academic skills; but, far more importantly, with the attitude that learning is fun, exciting and boundless.

Learning How to Think

The Montessori Elementary program offers an unparalleled opportunity for the ongoing development of your child who has been nurtured in the Primary program.  He is entering a new period in his life; this imaginative, social, creative child needs a planned environment and expansive course of study to support his burgeoning independence and potential.

Many of the beautiful, inviting Montessori materials from the Primary classroom are also found in the elementary, where your child will use them in new ways suited to her expanding mind, and make her own discoveries in language, math, and science.   Perhaps most importantly, the other children in the class have a similar background of being treated with respect and support, and have developed into confident, competent students.

The starting point for all courses of study in Lower Elementary is the “Great Lessons”; these impressionistic and scientific stories are presented every year and give the students the “big picture” of cosmology, astronomy, earth science, geography, chemistry, physics, biology, history, anthropology, cultural and social studies, language, math, music, and art.  Subsequent lessons offer the children keys for exploring these areas of human knowledge in more detail.

Montessori elementary students study both broadly and deeply, covering many subjects not attempted in traditional schools.  The children often develop expertise in a subject that is especially interesting to them. Because there is not a rigid schedule or prescribed curriculum that the whole class must follow, your child can focus intensely on her self-chosen work, with minimal interruption.   At the same time, she will collaborate with the teacher to ensure that the basic skills for each grade are mastered.  Your child will experience the challenges and rewards of working with a group of other children of different ages and will see his skills and talents put to use in many group projects.  He will develop proficiency in all areas of academic endeavors.  He will love and trust the adults with whom he works.  Above all, he will become flexible and adaptable.