Pre-Kindergarten Program
Ages 3.5 to 6 years
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1:12 Teacher:Student Ratio
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Children have different interests at different times. Maria Montessori called this “sensitive periods”. We respect these differences and have unique expectations for each child. Children are always free to move around the room instead of staying at desks. There is no limit to how long a child can work on something she has chosen. Opportunities for both individualized learning and large group experiences occur naturally in this multi-age setting. The wide variety of activities and materials nourish self-confidence, concentration, cooperation, and respect for others. The practical life area of the classroom enables the child to extend her/his concentration and coordination of independence into a stronger sense of order for the future.
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The Primary classroom includes areas of Practical Life, Sensorial Exercises, Mathematics, and Language Development. Lessons are also given in history, geography, geometry, botany, biology, geology, and geography. Art, music, and literature are integrated into the classroom activities. Physical education is also explored within a group process indoors as well as outdoors.
The organization of experiences and impressions is guided by a multi-sensory approach. The child discovers reading through phonics, mathematical concepts through concrete materials, and geographical relationships and scientific information through manipulating objects and real life materials.
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Language and reading materials guide the child toward recognition of the alphabet both by letter as well as phonetically. Upon mastery of these tasks, pre-reading and reading skills are integrated with the use of small primer books designed at allowing the child to begin putting together in book form, what she/he has experienced visually. Writing extensions are integrated here to strengthen the interest in reading. D’Nealian Style Manuscript handwriting is incorporated in all areas of the classroom, both in pre-writing or tracing activities, along with actual experience stories. The children move through writing of lower case letters first, and follow with the UPPER CASE LETTERS.​