We hold a deep respect for children and believe that children construct their own knowledge based on relationships with people and experiences. Children are viewed as strong, rich in potential, and driven by a desire to grow. Each child is viewed as infinitely capable, creative, and intelligent. Our job is to support these qualities and to challenge children in appropriate ways so that they develop fully. We place a heavy emphasis on creating an aesthetically pleasing environment, and following the child’s own lines of inquiry. We work with children in a way that reflects our values and vision. We ensure that our choices reflect our beliefs about who children are, and how they engage in the world.
Our Montessori (Casa – 3 to 6 years old) curriculum is composed of the following:
Practical Life activities provide opportunities for children to care for themselves, others and the environment. Children will take pride in mastering their environment while developing independence, sense of order, fine motor skills and concentration. These activities will indirectly prepare children for early reading, writing and mathematics. Sensorial materials appeal to the child’s natural desire to stimulate all senses. They help children appreciate differences in size, texture, weight, sound, shape, taste and colour. Sensorial materials demand precision of movement, heightened awareness and manual dexterity. Many sensorial materials provide indirect preparation for work in mathematics and language. Language is an instrument of collective thought. We use words to represent our experiences and express our thoughts, allowing for effective communication. The child absorbs language and it becomes part of them at a very early stage. Language is a spontaneous creation from the environment. It does not matter how complicated or simple a language is, the child will unconsciously absorb it. Children will acquire language through the use of phonetics, conversations, a wide range literature, printing, journal and story writing, and many fun and diverse language activities. Mathematics: These materials help the children to continually learn about the logical sequence of events, co-ordination, concentration and precision with which they are carried out. The children are able to absorb and abstract these mathematical ideas because they can hold, touch, feel, carry and manipulate all materials. Therefore, children will be directed from the concrete to the abstract. Our math curriculum will provide a grounding in the following areas: association of quantity to symbol, visual impressions of odd and even numbers, sequential order, number printing, and introduction of place value through the use of the decimal system. Culture: The Montessori classroom should reflect the culture into which the child has been born. Therefore, the prepared environment of the classroom is offered as a source of culture. A wide variety of materials provide cultural information pertaining to geography, biology, zoology, botany, music, arts and crafts, drama, and poetry. Computers: We believe that through the use of technology, young children develop their resources comprehensively to become educated and productive in an ever changing and complex world. Circle Time is a time for children to develop their listening skills, self-confidence (while sharing at show & tell) and learning about current events. Children learn concept of time when talking about the calendar and days of the week as well as learning more in depth about a particular topic of interest. This is a most enjoyable time for children as they share ideas and express their thoughts through stories, poems, songs and finger plays. Art: Self-expression through art is an important part of the weekly program. The children are encouraged to develop their creativity and self-esteem through arts and crafts. Music is an important form of self-expression allowing the child an ongoing exploration of themselves. Through different types of music, a child develops listening skills and an appreciation for different styles of composing. We introduce children to singing, humming, movement, rhythms, beats and playing various instruments. Physical Education activities help children develop balance, co-ordination, flexibility, posture, rhythm and team “spirit”. The children are encouraged to increase their physical limits, which in turn, allow them to develop confidence in their ability. Field Trips offer a “hands on” experience to children and we often choose our monthly field trips to compliment the curriculum. Parent volunteers are always welcome! “There is a part of a child’s soul that has always been unknown but which must be known. With a spirit of sacrifice and enthusiasm we must go in search like those who travel to foreign lands and tear up mountains in their search for hidden gold. This is what the adults must do who seeks the unknown factor that lies hidden in the depths of a child’s soul. This is a labor in which all must share, without distinction of nation, race, or social standing since it means the bringing forth of an indispensable element for the moral progress of mankind.” The Secret of Childhood Maria Montessori
Toddler Program
18 months to 3 years old