RIE and Montessori-based learning
Preschool-Kindergarten Program
“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
“There is in the child a special kind of sensitivity which leads him to absorb everything about him, and it is this work of observing and absorbing that alone enables him to adapt himself to life. He does it in virtue of an unconscious power that exists in childhood…”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Starting from ages 3 to 5 years old is the Montessori Primary program. As children grow, they are fascinated by things they see adults doing that may be ordinary to us. Practical Life activities such as washing dishes, sweeping the floor, cleaning windows, sorting, pouring completely absorbs a child at this age. This is the sensitive period of order, control and coordination of mind and body. The learning centers on tangible hands-on experiences.
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We begin with the concrete and move towards abstract concepts. For example, when introducing math, we start with tangible objects that can be moved into a separate pile as they are counted. As they master the concrete, we can introduce the abstract squiggle on paper that is a number and associate it with the pile of objects they see. They tangibly see and feel how 9 is more than 2. Children use concrete materials to explore the subjects in our curriculum including:
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Sensorial
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Music and Movement
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Geography
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Science and Nature
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Cultural Awareness
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Language Arts
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Mathematics
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Cooking and Nutrition
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History
Communication
- Can correctly identify at least seven body parts
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- Grows language from three-word sentences to six or more
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- Can describe what is happening by looking at pictures in a book
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- Able to use comparable words like heavier, stronger, shorter
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- Knows their first and last name
Problem Solving
- After seeing it done, can build a bridge with blocks or boxes
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- Begins to memorize phone number, address, song lyrics
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- Grows from identifying 3 colors to at least 11
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- Count up to 20 without mistakes
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- Able to finish a sentence like, "Ice is cold, fire is..."
Gross Motor
- Can balance on one foot
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- Able to perform more coordinated sports like hit a ball with a bat, or kick a ball into a goal
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- Can learn to ride a balance bike and peddle a bike without training wheels
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- Catch a ball with both hands and throw overhand at least 6 feet
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- Learns to skip
Personal-Social
- Navigate a wagon or stroller around objects and out of corners
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- Dress self
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- Can serve themself food from a container using a utensil
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- Successfully use the toilet and wash hands by themself
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- Take turns with other children
Fine Motor
- Strings small items like beads or macaroni onto a string
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- Holds a pen or pencil the proper way
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- Can trace dotted lines
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- Begins to draw simple and more complex shapes
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- Begins to write letters and numbers and own name
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- Masters the use of scissors