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 and the curriculum is designed for each individual child.
In this multi-age setting, children are encouraged to work as a team to enhance their individual learning. 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.
There is a max of 21 children in each class and the child-to-staff ratio is 11 to 1.
