Primary
Primary (coming 2025)
Ages 2 1/2 – 6
The Primary Program is meticulously crafted to cater to the developmental needs of children aged 2 1/2 to 6 years. During this crucial stage, children possess what Maria Montessori termed an 'absorbent mind', where they effortlessly assimilate information akin to a sponge absorbing water. This innate capability allows them to acquire knowledge with remarkable ease.
Drawing upon Montessori's profound insights, we recognize that during these formative years, children experience what she termed as Sensitive Periods. These periods signify a heightened receptivity to specific stimuli, facilitating optimal learning and skill acquisition. The Primary Program is designed to harness these sensitive periods, providing an environment conducive to the natural inclinations of each child.
Comprising four core areas of study—Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Mathematics—the Primary Program offers a comprehensive educational framework. Additionally, students will engage in explorations of science, geography, art, music, and cultural studies, enriching their learning experiences and fostering holistic development.
Practical Life
The area of Practical Life acts as a bridge between home and school for the child. Here they will see familiar lessons. Lessons such as sweeping, dusting, and polishing. Practical Life incorporates the areas of movement, care of the environment, care of the person, and social relations. It is in this area that the child will gain independence, concentration, coordination of movement, a sense of order and adaptation to their environment. These lessons lead the child to develop himself as an individual and as a productive member of his community.
Language
This area is divided into 3 sections– Spoken Language, Written Language and Reading. In Spoken Language, the focus is on learning vocabulary, as the child is now in a sensitive period for the acquisition of language. They will also learn the sounds of letters and phonemes. With this knowledge behind them, the children rapidly enter the area of Written Language. Here they concentrate on learning how to write words, phrases and sentences. They practice constructing and diagramming phrases and sentences, which allows them to gather a better understanding of proper syntax and grammar. The child soon begins to read. Short words at first, but advancing quite quickly. Many aspects of language are integrated throughout the classroom.
Sensorial
Sensorial will focus the child’s attention on the refinement of his senses. It brings order to all the sensorial impressions the child has already accumulated. The children will differentiate size, weight, gradation, color, texture, smell, taste, temperature and sound.
Mathematics
In this area, work begins with manipulatives. Using these materials allows the child to grasp the concepts in their concrete form before moving on to the abstract. Quantity, symbol, operations, linear counting and decimals are some of the mathematics topics that are covered in the Primary Program
“The Absorbent Mind forms the basis of the society created by man, and we see it in the guise of the gentle and tiny child who soIves by the virtue of his love the mysterious difficulties of human destiny.” - Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
