Primary Program

3 years to 6 years old.

At the core of the Montessori approach to education is the curriculum for the Primary child. The Primary level is a gathering of children from three to six years old who absorb their environment, language and culture. Dr. Maria Montessori named this quality “the absorbent mind.” This period focuses on learning to be independent with the child’s motto being “help me do it for myself.” Our Primary classrooms are well prepared environments that apply the Montessori Method and philosophy to support the child’s natural drive toward independence, concentration, coordination and sense of order. The five distinct areas of the prepared environment are: Practical Life enhances the development of hand-eye coordination, gross motor, control and cognitive order through care of self, care of the environment, development of social relations and coordination of physical movement. The Sensorial area enables the child to order, classify and describe sensory impressions in relation to length, width, temperature, mass, color, etc. Mathematics makes use of the manipulative materials to enable the child to internalize concepts of number, symbol, sequence, operations and memorizations of basic facts. Language Arts include oral language development, written expression, reading, and the study of grammar, creative dramatics and children’s literature. Basic skills in writing and reading are developed through the use of sandpaper letters, alphabet cutouts and various presentations, allowing children to link sounds and letter symbols effortlessly and to express their thoughts through writing. Cultural expose the child to basics in geography, history, life sciences, and earth sciences. Music, art, and movement education are part of the integrated cultural curriculum.

Primary children experience the excitement of learning by making their own choices in our environment. They work both independently and cooperatively, learning to respect the work of others in the class. The mixed-age grouping gives older children the opportunity to serve as mentors to the younger students in the room. Our Primary environment fosters a strong sense of responsibility and community that can be seen as children work harmoniously within the same space.

Our Primary teachers cultivate the individual child’s natural desire to learn with the goal of inspiring lifelong learning. They move through the classroom facilitating children’s work choices and social relationships as they carefully observe and record the key points of each child’s day.

For both full day and half day students, a healthy morning snack is included and a choice of either bringing a lunch from home or purchasing a freshly prepared lunch. Full day students will be given the opportunity to nap after lunch from 12:30 to 2:30 on their own cot. A healthy afternoon snack will be served to our full day students as well.