Early Childhood Programs

The Practical Life or everyday living materials help children to develop independence, concentration, and fine motor skills. These activities include self-care, social relationships, environmental care, and food preparation.

The Sensorimotor materials are a foundational area in the Montessori environment. These beautiful, didactic materials isolate impressions of taste, sight, sound, touch, and hearing,  supporting children in further refinement of their sensory experiences as they discriminate between and build vocabulary around these distinguishing characteristics. These exercises mark an overt movement from unconscious experiences to conscious thinking.

Mathematics are introduced with the use of manipulative materials as children learn foundational concepts, providing a strong basis of understanding as children move to more abstract mathematical thinking. These activities include numeration, place value, mathematical operations, introduction to fractions and beginning memorization of math facts.

Language is introduced using a phonetic approach, highlighting the sounds of the letters as they are associated with the letter shape. This allows for the move into reading as the child is ready. Children also experience “writing” before reading, using manipulative materials to build words along their path toward literacy. These activities include listening experiences, phonetic awareness, development of the hand, reading, writing and composition.

Cultural activities are a rich and unique part of the Montessori environment. Introducing geography, zoology, biology and history concepts, these materials help the child to build an awareness of themselves and the world around them. The diversity of our families and staff, in conjunction with the cultural materials, helps our students develop an inclusive respect and appreciation for all people and living things.