Toddler, Preschool & TK Programs

Based on the Montessori philosophy, our classrooms are designed to accommodate all the following areas of learning:

Activities in Practical Life are designed to teach children how to function in their own environment on a daily basis. These tasks enable the children to gain independence, developing their abilities to operate without unnecessary aid. With activities that support the need for one-to-one correspondence and order, children learn the tools necessary for education in math and language.

Dr. Montessori discovered that the "development of the senses precedes that of superior intellectual activity." The sensorial materials train children to discriminate the differences in forms, colors, textures and smells. The refinement of the senses develops critical thinking, concentration and sequencing, which is preparation for the more complex education of math, reading and writing.

Maria Montessori believed that in a child's language development writing precedes reading. While training the hand to hold a pencil, the children also learn to spell simple words with the movable alphabet. The two activities work in conjunction to spontaneously develop the children's writing skills, which in turn develop their reading skills.

Preparation for the exactness of Mathematics is developed in the order of the Practical Life and Sensorial activities. Mathematic activities are presented in a visual and tactile manner, allowing children to feel and understand the quantities presented to them before learning about the abstract concepts of numerals and their functions.

The cultural subjects deal with astronomy, botany, zoology, history and geography. Because of our dedication to our multi-cultural backgrounds, we encourage parents to participate and introduce their cultures to our children through songs, food and other fun activities.

Children find creative ways to express themselves through art. At the pre-conceptual and intuitive stages of development, children need the sensory stimulation of handling clay, coloring with crayons, markers and pencils, and cutting with scissors. Their individual artistic styles are developed as they gain control of their fine-motor movements.

We also offer Spanish classes twice per week. The focus is on vocabulary, which is reinforced through songs, dances and games.

"The hands are the instruments of the child's intellect" Maria Montessori. Music is an integral part of our Montessori program. The children are exposed to music workshops as well as daily movements, finger plays and songs. We have a professional music instructor who joins the children 3 times a month, educating them in rhythm, movement and tones.

Our Montessori gardening program is a hands-on growing experience! The program teaches the children about growing vegetable crops and includes lessons in basic botany. The children will experience first hand the life cycle of plants, from seed to harvest, and begin to understand the relationship from garden to table.

In the Yoga Kids after school classes, traditional yoga techniques have been recreated in playful, simple and fun ways. Using the Multiple Intelligence's Theory of Harvard educator Howard Gardner as a foundation, each pose becomes a springboard for activities that open the doorway to fully integrated learning. Yoga Kids is an adventure in health, harmony and education.

During an after school cooking class your child can expect to prepare seasonal and multicultural recipes using fresh and healthy ingredients! Through step by step, child centered recipes the children will use real kitchen tools to prepare their very own meals with loving guidance from their teacher. Children gain independence, confidence, fine motor skills, practice Math and Language skills and try new foods in this fun, low pressure environment.