“So, from the age of three till six, being able to now tackle his environment deliberately and consciously, he begins a period of real constructiveness.” ~Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of the Three Year Cycle for the specific characteristics that children demonstrate in the areas of social, emotional, psychological, intellectual, and physical development. During the Primary period, ages 3–6 years, the child blossoms into an amazing, consciously self-directed learner!
Following the Montessori philosophy, our Primary Program groups children whom range between the ages of 3 to 6 years. This multiage grouping fosters a beautiful peer learning where the younger children learn from the older ones, and the older children develop a sense of maturity, responsibility, and greater self-esteem from teaching their younger peers.
The classrooms, or Prepared Environment, are designed by the teacher to engage the children in uninterrupted blocks of work time. The children are guided to choose their work according to sensitive periods, interest, and needs. The teacher provides daily small group and individual lessons of a wide range of materials across the curriculum. This pleasingly aesthetic environment promotes independence, sense of order, freedom, and responsibility. Dr. Montessori believed that “The hands are the instruments of the mind.” The child, the teacher, and the environment form an amazing learning triangle.
At this age, curiosity and independence is high! Our Primary Program provides each child with a tailored, quality experience that stimulates his or her innate drive to learn and explore. Experiences focus on gross motor activities, social skills and practical life, in addition to academics and a variety of cultural experiences, including foreign language.
The classrooms are a language and mathematic laboratory, filled with activities and materials that emphasize the use of oral language, early reading and writing, and mathematical concepts across the curriculum. Work in every area, including Practical Life, Science, Geography, and Sensorial all contribute to an experiential, well-rounded education.