CHILDREN'S HOUSE

The three-year-old to six-year-old program is a unique preschool experience; it is a complete program through the kindergarten year (Extended Day).  Students three years old by September (and toilet trained) through six years old are eligible for this program.  Children construct knowledge by interacting with the environment.  Each student works at his or her own pace and also works cooperatively with other students in the classroom.  The prepared environment includes practical life, sensorial, art, math, science, geography and language arts.  Each day the children also participate in group activities including: music, games, stories, poetry, lessons in grace and courtesy, and outdoor play.   Special activities, such as yoga, Spanish, or music are also part of the curriculum. 

The preschool day is from 8:00 am until noon.  The day begins with playground time and then the students come inside for “group”.  During group the teacher will introduce any new lessons the class will be studying and help the children focus on their “work” for the morning.  During the work-cycle children choose the Montessori materials that interest them and thereby become more actively engaged as they master new skills.  After work cycle the students meet again at group and are then dismissed for the day.

Any child who is self-sufficient, who can tie his shoes, dress or undress himself, reflects in his joy and sense of achievement the image of human dignity, which is derived from a sense of independence.

- Maria Montessori

EXTENDED DAY (KINDERGARTEN)

Students in the Children’s House program are accepted into the Extended Day Program through teacher recommendation.

The criteria for consideration are as follows:

  1. Chronological Age
  2. Emotional Maturity
  3. Academic Readiness

The children are part of the Children’s House program during the morning.  During this time these older children are developing good leadership and independence skills by helping you younger children in the classroom.  The Extended Day Program is designed to continue to prepare the child for first grade.  Each day the Extended Day student has required work to complete.  These works are determined by the teacher, and are based on each child’s level in the different curriculum areas.  The program brings together all the skills learned in the previous preschool years and prepares a child socially, emotionally and academically for first grade.  A child may be in this class one, one and a half, or two years depending on their age and readiness.  These older students extend their time with their Montessori teacher to enrich their experience in skill development and special projects.