Early Childhood Community (3-6 Years)
Dr. Maria Montessori characterized the time of early childhood as an age where the child possess' a unique gift...that of an absorbent mind. As a result of this natural tendency, she felt that children learn most happily and productively through independently working in an enviornment that has been specifically prepared to meet their development needs and stimulate their intellectual growth.
Children in our early childhood program engage in a full Montessori curriculum. Our prepared environment abounds with activities which are attractive and interesting to children and which give them clear messages on how to succeed. Teachers design work which builds eye-hand coordination, concentration, manual dexterity and self-reliance. Pre-reading and writing skills and basic math concepts are introduced in individual and group lessons at a pace which is developmentally appropriate for each child. Our goal is to nurture and encourage the primary child's natural love of learning.
Our early childhood kindergarten enrichment program supplements the regular early childhood curriculum for our four-and-a-half through six year olds. Each afternoon is devoted to an advanced lesson in a different subject area such as history, biology, physical science or cultural geography. These kindergarten lessons are stimulating and fun and, because they are focused and structured for a group they prepare the children for the format of an elementary program.