Primary Program for ages 3-6

The Montessori approach to education for children 3-6 years of age provides a wide range of experiences to help each child’s development. The children are given the opportunity to engage in spontaneous, meaningful activities at their own pace and rhythm, with the guidance of a trained adult.

Our environment has been designed with your children in mind. Everything in the classroom has been scaled down to their size with low shelves that display a wealth of beautiful, carefully chosen, learning materials.

Typical Daily Schedule

A long block of time is spent on individual or group work. There are periods of outdoor play where children have an opportunity to use their large motor skills. Snack time takes place during the morning work period and after the rest period. Large group activities may include music, singing, story-telling, cultural presentations, birthday celebrations and other activities.

Curriculum

The children are given the opportunity to engage in spontaneous, meaningful activities at their own pace and rhythm, with the guidance of a trained adult. This is facilitated through the use of educational materials in the following areas:

Daily Living Activities give children the skills to care for themselves and their surroundings. But most importantly, they develop concentration, gross and fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, order and independence.

Sensory Motor Materials develop and refine sense perceptions.

Language Materials increase communication skills and help the child link everything in the world to the sounds and symbols of the spoken and written word.

Mathematics Materials introduce number and quantity concepts in a concrete manner. Children can construct numbers, do simple arithmetical operations and visualize the order of the decimal system.

Physical and Social Science Materials introduce the child to the concept of living and non-living things, to space and time. The goal is to grow from awareness of self to an awareness of the world and other people.

Art, Music and Movement are integrated into the work cycle with an emphasis on creative versus imitative work. Children develop their own creativity and acquire fine and gross motor skills, body awareness, balance and rhythm.

Benefits of Extended Exposure

While a child will gain by attending a Montessori program for any length of time, children benefit the most from extended exposure. Montessori “works” best when the child attends daily or stays for extended day, and remains with us for the full developmental stage, which includes kindergarten year. This allows for individual and social development, helping children to achieve their full potential and become independent, responsible contributing citizens of the world.