Early Childhood

An academic program for students 3-6 years old.

Learning Through All Five Senses

Our early childhood program emphasizes learning through all five senses rather than just through listening, watching, and reading. This is an environment where children learn at their own individual pace and with their own choice of activities from numerous possibilities. Through this self-lead approach, students increase concentration, motivation, build character and most importantly, a love of learning. 

Students are encouraged to explore topics they are interested in and apply these topics to assigned work, fostering a love of learning and research while also engendering self-discipline and responsibility. Students are given the opportunity to satiate their curiosity while also developing academic skills. Students are guided in the creation of education projects, leadership and character development. They are introduced to concepts of color, shapes, numeric values, and the alphabet. 

Child Centered 

(not teacher centered)

Unlike conventional classrooms, where all children are expected to pay close attention to the teacher, our program does the opposite – the teacher is trained to closely observe your child’s interests, tendencies and needs. You won’t see the teacher standing at the front of the classroom at a chalkboard, but rather down at your child’s level, engaged with her or a small group.

A Mixed-Age Classroom

Because the curriculum is individualized, your child can work at his or her own pace while participating in a mixed age classroom community. Your younger child learns by observing the behavior and activities of the older children. Your older child gains self-confidence, leadership skills and responsibility by setting an example for her younger friends.

The Gift of Choice

Your child will be introduced to a broad range of concepts and activities in individual and small group lessons. The real learning, however, occurs through independent activity by choosing to explore it, repeat it and perfect it.

Hands-On Materials

The scientifically designed Montessori materials help your child learn through hands-on use and exploration. Through continued use, he develops as a concrete understanding of abstract concepts, such as mathematics, providing a solid foundation for learning into the future.

Group Activities and Play

While most of the day is spent in self-directed work, there are also times for group activity and play. The teacher may gather a group for songs or to tell stories about a cultural, scientific or historical theme of interest. Ample time is also given to run, dig, explore and play with friends outdoors.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Instead of a top down curriculum based upon age, the teacher is trained to respect your child’s unique potential and connects him with the lesson best suited at that precise moment of development. Your child will be challenged according to her ability, not to a generic standard.

Kindergarten Included

Montessori is a continuum of education that allows your child to build upon experiences each year. Your child will stay in the Primary classroom for 3 years, including the traditional “kindergarten year” – when the seeds of learning come to fruition. Reading and writing come to life from sounds and symbols. She is introduced to numbers and the decimal system. She learns about geometric figures and the political countries of our world. She leaves the program with a strong set of academic skills; but, far more importantly, with the attitude that learning is fun, exciting and boundless. At this point, she is ready to move up to the Elementary program, for children from the ages of 6 to 12.