Children's House

The youngest children in our school engage in practical life activities designed to reinforce care of self and care of environment. The activities support the development of motor control, hand-eye coordination, concentration, independence and a sense of order.

They engage in sensorial activities with materials such as the beautifully crafted geometric solids, coloured cylinders and colour tablets. They move through the process of reading and writing with the sandpaper letters, movable alphabet and a variety of materials which lead to independence in reading and writing.

Children are exposed to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division through concrete experiences with Montessori math materials. They engage in collaborative problem solving and independent exploration.

Outdoor exploration is an important part of our Children's House experience. The children go on nature hunts in our wooded area. They visit a dairy farm, animal farm and pumpkin patch every year. They grow plants in the classroom. They participate in science experiments, baking and art.

These environments are truly an oasis for the 3-6 year old child where they are gently guided in their exploration of the universe. When they graduate from the Children's House, the children excitedly move to the elementary level.

sensorial
practical life
language
mathematics
geography
physical and biological sciences
other cultural subjects
In the Montessori prepared environment, children have freedom of choice and movement within clearly defined limits. The consistency of these freedoms and limits allows children to feel a sense of security and comfort and to feel the importance of community.
These classrooms bring together children between the ages of 3 and 6 in an atmosphere of respect, responsibility and enjoyment. The children are exposed to a wide variety of materials and activities in several key areas of education:
"It is necessary for the teacher to guide the child without letting him feel her presence too much, so that she may always be ready to supply the desired help, but may never be the obstacle between the child and his experience."