primary
Classes for children ages 3–6, characterized by independence, hands-on learning, and a focus on social and emotional development.
the experience
Primary is a mixed-age classroom that adheres to the Montessori curriculum of the three-hour uninterrupted morning work cycle, a minimum of one hour of recess, lunch and then a two-hour afternoon work cycle. The classroom is bright and sunny with an extended garden area and free ranging chickens and guinea hens. Music, art, outdoor play, and gardening are an integral part of the Primary child's learning. Focus on work and the sense of independence abound.
Children use concrete materials to learn math, our Souns letters to explore language, cubes, cylinders and other objects to categorize, find spatial relationships, and more.
Our Primary classroom is a "no-tech" environment. Children are vastly more engaged in activities that take place in real life and we do not find the need to utilize screens in our teaching at this age.
Practical life exercises like sorting, pouring, washing dishes, or preparing food absorb them completely. We recognize this as the beginning of control and coordination of mind and body. Montessori learning revolves around tangible, hands-on participation at all levels before children move to more abstract concepts.
Practical learning experiences explore key subjects including:
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Science and Nature
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Music and Movement
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Sensorial
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Cooking and Nutrition
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Cultural Awareness
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Geography
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Language Arts
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Mathematics
Typically, a child begins a Primary Montessori program at 3 years of age.
More about admission for 3 year olds here.
Primary students age 4 and up attend full day (8:00am-3:00pm) five days a week.
We follow a quarterly schedule and the school calendar can be seen here.
