Infant Classroom

We are excited to announce the opening of our Infant classroom. We are accepting infants 6 weeks and older. There is a low student to teacher ratio to ensure that infants are given as much individual attention as possible. The classroom is set up to interest and engage the infants, toys and materials have been specially selected to aid and stimulate the development and natural curiosity of infants

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Beginner Classroom

(Ages 15 months-2 years)

The Beginner room is designed for toddlers ages 15 months to 2 years depending on each child’s individual development. The room has toys, books and materials suitable for these young, active learners. The curriculum in this classroom provides our teachers with the tools to help your child’s beginning language skills: eye hand coordination, listening skills and concentration. The young toddlers begin to learn and understand many words in English and in Spanish.

This is a frustrating time for our little ones. Language skills aren’t developed yet and they cannot always find words to express their feelings. This is most often when biting and hitting occurs. Our goal is to keep you up to date on behaviors and progress with your child and his/her classmates. This is a fun and exciting time for you and your child- enjoy the fun!

What to Expect:

• Children of this age discover the joy of climbing, running, throwing and other motor skills.
• They also learn about tolerating each other and establishing boundaries (“ NO, MINE” is the favorite saying for this room).
• Children in this classroom will be weaned from bottles. They will drink from sippy cups and progress to cups by the end of the year.
  Bottles are not encouraged.
• Your child has a good chance of falling, biting or being bitten.
• Periodic reports of your child’s progress.
• Separation anxiety; as this might be the first time away from home.

What to Bring:

• Diapers *
• Wipes
• Diaper cream
• Comfort object for nap time only (pacifier, stuffed animal, blankets, pillows, etc.)
• Two changes of clothing(season appropriate) in a 2 gallon Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name
• Blanket – If your child has blanket that they like to carry please bring a small one so they don’t trip over it and fall.

What Not to Bring:

• Backpacks or diaper bags (unless approved by the administration)
• Toys or large stuffed animals

* If you would like to start potty training please bring Pull-Ups with the tear open sides.

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Transition Classroom

(Ages 2-3 years old)

The Transition room and its curriculum is designed to help your 2 or 3 year old prepare for our Primary room. Beginning language skills are enhanced and your child’s vocabulary begins to grow rapidly. Simple math and beginning letter recognition and phonics are the academic focus while your child has a creative outlet through art, music, dance and gardening. The work centers focus on developing fine motor skills and cognitive sills. We expect each child to enter our Primary rooms with self control and respect for all living things and the self confidence to succeed. Of course, potty training is a focus for new students entering the room.

What to Expect:

• Children will begin learning lessons in areas of practical life, sensorial, language, and math. Montessori introduction begins.
• Children in this class will drink out of regular cups during class time. Please leave sippy cups at home.
• Please understand that at this very active age, your child may fall or trip causing a bump or bruise. We will notify you immediately of any injury and will send home and “owie” report notifying you of details.
• Children will continue to learn about tolerating each other and establishing boundaries ( “NO, MINE” is the favorite saying for this room)
• Children will hit and occasionally bite each other.
• Feel free to ask any questions to the teacher or director
• Periodic reports of your child’s progress

What to Bring:

• Velcro side Pullups
• Wipes
• Comfort object for nap time only (blankets, pillows, etc.)
• Two changes of clothing (season appropriate) in a 2 gallon Ziploc bag. Label clothing with your child’s name

What Not to Bring:

• Backpacks or diaper bags (unless approved by the administration)
• Toys or large stuffed animals

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Primary Classroom

(Ages 3-6 yrs)

The Primary Classroom teacher guides the children through activities and exercises designed to help pre-reading skills and simple math skills. The work areas of the class aid in expanding your child’s vocabulary, fine motor skills and developing problem-solving skills. The children learn through participating in imagination play and hands on activities such as puzzles and games.

The different areas of the classroom are Language, Math, Sensorial, Practical life, Cultural, Geography and Zoology.

Language:

Language is a part of the culture of the race. The young child like his primitive ancestors is born with the potential to speak but can only make noises. Language is therefore acquired through learning. Within the prepared environment we must reach two other important aspects necessary for learning: Attention Span and Concentration. Every single activity in the classroom should strengthen these two points. The development of these two aspects will be reflected later in elementary years. Social awareness is also developed early as the child becomes interested in his peers. The Montessori guide (the teacher) must correctly show the child how to relate with each other with courtesy, how to cooperate, and how care for their environment.

Math:

A child learns the basic concept of mathematics in either two ways. In the primary level, he will learn by using concrete material in the elementary level he will learn by abstract methods. Concrete materials are designed to represent all types of quantities to allow a child to touch or move the items as he learns. In the Montessori environment, a child not only sees the symbol for 1, 10, 100, 1000, but he can also hold the quantities in his hand. Later, by combining this equipment, separating it, sharing it, counting it and comparing it, he can demonstrate to himself the basic operations of arithmetic. This activity gives him the satisfaction of learning by discovery rather than by being told. Eventually, he develops an early enthusiasm for the world of numbers.

Practical Life Overview:

“Exercises in Practical Life” allow children to lead a practical life and do ordinary housework with a devotion. The objects that are used for practical life have no scientific purpose. They are the objects used where a child lives and which he sees employed in his own home, but they are especially made to his size. Although, the Practical Life Exercises may seem simple and common place, they are actually a very important part of the Montessori Program. These exercises make the child more independent and a useful member of his community, e.g. cleaning up after his/her snack, putting on their jackets, wiping the spills, etc.

Sensorial Overview:

Sensorial training is of great importance in learning the basics of arithmetic. The conception of identity and difference in the sensorial exercises is built up from the recognition of identical objects and graduation of similar objects. He learns by repetition and gradually builds up a strong basis for more advanced arithmetic. Materials for the training of senses comprise a series of objects which are grouped together according to some definite quality which they possess, such as dimension, color, texture, sound, weight, temperature, taste, smell, form and position. The order of presentation is different for each child, depending on the age, experience and sensitive periods of child.

Cultural-Zoology-Geography Overview:

Cultural Studies, Geography, and Zoology are combined in one area of the class room. Cultural Studies covers many areas of the world and different customs in the Montessori Classroom. We have children from many cultural backgrounds. We want the children to learn a little about them all. Geography is the study of maps, globes and land forms. Zoology is studies of animal life, parts of animals, life cycle stages and nature in general. We also learn about humans and families and our environment. Children will learn about the world and everything in it.

Spanish:

Ms Lisa Baird will be here three times a week to work with children on their Spanish. We will be working on vocabulary and spoken Spanish. She will introduce rhymes and songs as part of the curriculum.

What to Expect:

• Class begins at 8:30am. We expect all students to be in the classroom and ready to start the day together.
• Children become more independent leaning how to care for themselves and their environment.
• Children work quietly and independently as well as in group settings.
• Grace and manners are a focus of the classroom.
• Children will work on phonics and pre-reading skills daily.
• Exercises in math skills such as counting, matching and arranging will be completed daily.

What Not to Bring:

• Please keep all nap pads, blankets, pillows and stuffed animals at home. We provide a nap mat for our rest time.
• Show'n Tell will be every Friday. Please send ONLY educational items. Toys will not be allowed.

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