PRESCHOOL

Maria Montessori called the period between birth and age 6 the FIRST PLANE OF DEVELOPMENT. She characterized children of this age as having an "absorbent mind," the ability to literally absorb, like a sponge, all kinds of information about their environment and culture. The preschool child's need for order and independence is reflected in the highly organized and child-proportioned nature of the preschool environment. Lessons are given to the children one-on-one. Teachers are careful to match the activity to the child's "sensitive period" for that particular aspect of learning.

Characteristics of White Rock Montessori Preschool Environments

• Two preschool classrooms, each consisting of twenty-four children, ages 3-6
• Two Montessori-certified teachers are in each classroom; the student/teacher ratio is 12:1
• Weekly classes with faculty specialists in music and environmental science
• All children attend five days per week
• Older children attend from 8:30 A.M. -3:00 P.M.
• Younger children attend for a half-day only, from 8:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.
• Children remain in the same classroom with the same teachers throughout preschool and kindergarten.
• Self-paced/Individualized
• Concrete, manipulative materials organized into the following curricular areas:
  • Everyday Living Skills
  • Sensory Awareness
  • Math
  • Geometry
  • Language
  • Foreign Language (Spanish)
  • Geography
  • History
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Science
  • Environmental Science/Gardening
  • Gross and Fine Motor Refinement

Teachers are careful to match the activity to the child's "sensitive period" for that particular aspect of learning.