Our schools show that children of different ages help one another. There are many things which no teacher can convey to a child of three, but a child of five can do it with ease.
MARIA MONTESSORI
The day is designed to allow children the freedom to explore the prepared classroom environment and complete work in each of the main areas of learning: Mathematics, Practical Life, Language Arts, Sensorial, and Culture. Concepts are introduced by the teacher in indivicual, small group, and whole group lessons. Children are allowed uninterrupted blocks of time to explore new concepts through the hands on use of self correcting materials which promote independence. Teachers are always observing to see when children are ready for new concepts, they are keenly aware that each child will learn at his or her own pace. Children are encouraged to explore all areas of the classroom. The classroom contains unique, age-appropriate equipment which has been specifically designed to stimulate both interest and intellectual growth and autonomy.
The Children's House consists of 3, 4, and 5 year olds. In a multi age setting children learn from eachother, and they learn because of each other. Younger children have the opportunity to see what the future holds for them by watching the older children. Older children have the opportunity to confirm what they have learned by sharing knowledge with younger children. In addition children are brought up to be tolerant of different levels of ability. The mixture of ages results in a calm and peaceful learning environment.
There are approximately 24 children in each class and the child-to-staff ratio is 12 to 1.
