Children's House
The Children’s House (also known as Primary) years, ages three to six, are a developmental period when children are particularly sensitive to taking in information. Our Children’s House program is a 3-year program (through the kindergarten year) based on these sensitive periods and planes of development. Dr. Maria Montessori observed that children in this stage of life appear to “absorb” information nearly effortlessly from the environment surrounding them.New Paragraph
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Highly Individualized Education
To take advantage of a child's naturally occurring propensity for comprehension through doing, touching and experiencing, Montessori Children’s House classrooms are very carefully prepared to offer concrete, hands-on, self-directed, and self-correcting materials. The students use these Montessori materials to understand more abstract concepts, which in more traditional environments they might have been asked to simply memorize or accept. The trained teachers offer guidance and lessons, ensuring exposure to a broad range of activities while allowing each child to follow his/her own interests and pace. In this way, the children lay a solid foundation upon which virtually all of their later learning will be built. At Our World Montessori, we provide a dynamic learning environment for all students with Montessori-credentialed teachers who are passionate about quality education
Language Development
Language materials are found in all curricular areas of a Children’s House classroom. For the younger children, language materials are often tactile, catering to their sensitivity to learning through touch. Learning letter sounds phonetically gives the students a tool that opens written language up for them. Beginning when they are ready and proceeding at their own pace, the children begin to read. Tracing letter shapes made of sandpaper is the foundation for writing. Cursive handwriting, with its fluidity and flow, is introduced to bring this written language to paper. The students’ oral language ability continues to grow and develop, with clear and precise vocabulary tied to all aspects of classroom activity. Language is tied into all curricular areas of a Children’s House classroom.
Mathematics
Concrete Montessori materials are used to introduce abstract mathematical concepts in our Children’s House classrooms. The children learn the relationship between numeral and quantity through concrete, hands-on, self-correcting materials which introduce the decimal system. Through these specifically designed Montessori materials, Children’s House students are introduced to the world of mathematics in a logical, concrete, and understandable manner. Montessori offers the child a strong and solid foundation in the understanding of mathematics through sequential materials and lessons. Each child works with materials of his own choice and at his own pace, developing mathematical reasoning skills. Each and every math idea, from quantity to the idea of zero to the concept of odd and even numbering, is expressed in a physical, concrete form, which the students can manipulate and thereby understand. In this way, children are intrigued and drawn into mathematics rather than being intimidated or confused. Addition, subtraction, and even multiplication, division, algebra, and geometry are introduced in concrete ways at an individualized pace for each child.
Practical Life
Practical Life exercises are at the heart of a Montessori Children’s House classroom. This classroom area encompasses the activities of real everyday life with multi-sensory materials that encourage the child to accomplish life skills in a purposeful way. These many-layered activities lay the foundation for sequential thinking, order, concentration, coordination, abstract understanding, and self-confidence. Generally, the activities of practical life revolve around four areas: Caring for the Self, Caring for the Environment, Grace & Courtesy, and Movement of Objects. There is another area which includes all four areas and which is a very important part of practical life, namely food and its preparation. All of these Practical Life activities help the child to properly take care of himself so that he may gain independence and not have to rely on an adult for his basic needs.
Sensorial
Activities in this area allow the child to develop and refine each of his 5 senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling) through hands-on exploration of the Montessori multi-sensory materials. There are specifically designed materials to define weight, size, shape, color, sound, taste, smell, and texture. Dr. Montessori believed that through his senses, the child studies his environment, and through this study, the child then begins to understand his environment. The purpose and aim of Sensorial work is for the child to acquire clear, conscious, information and to be able to then make classifications in his environment. The sensorial materials build a foundation for language, writing, and math through the use of hands-on engagement.
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies include physical and cultural geography, science, botany, zoology, art, music, and history. Culture is woven into the other areas of the classroom as well. Our Children’s House classrooms participate in cultural celebrations throughout the school year, showcasing specific countries and their traditions. The students prepare foods from the countries, and learn songs, dances, folktales and more. Additionally, the amazing diversity of the Our World Montessori community makes culture come alive, offering opportunities for exposure to different practices, foods, and beliefs.
Mixed-Age Classrooms
A deep respect for each child characterizes our 3- to 6-year-old Children’s House (Primary) program. These mixed-age classes include 3 year olds, 4 year olds, and 5 year olds at the start of the school year. Each child progresses at a pace that is individually appropriate in each curriculum area, allowing each student to feel successful and challenged at all times. Although a much more time and energy-intensive approach to education, the Children’s House classrooms at Our World Montessori allow every child to achieve his/her highest potential. Our program fosters independence, concentration, and coordination; grace and courtesy; and the child’s natural sense of wonder and love of learning.
Prepared Environment
Ideally, a child enters one of our Children’s House classrooms at 3 years old and remains in that same environment for three (four years if the child enters the classroom prior to turning 3) consecutive years, growing and learning at his/her own pace. Children are free to explore and receive lessons for each material. With a mixture of ages in the class, children experience the freedom of learning at their own pace, rather than one that has been pre-determined as appropriate for their chronological age. Younger children learn by observing and emulating older children and for the older children, leadership skills develop naturally as they mentor their younger classmates.
