The Primary classroom is most well known age for a Montessori education. It provides superior preschool and kindergarten programs, appropriate for children ages 3 to 5. The preschool and kindergarten years are termed “the sensitive period” in Montessori because children of that age are primed and ready to learn. They seem to absorb information from the environment without the need for directed instruction. Consider, for example, the way a child learns her native language. No formal instruction is needed, she seems to absorb it from the environment.
Children who begin their education in our Pocatello Montessori preschool and kindergarten during these important years tend to excel and flourish later in school, especially our Lower Elementary program, but in traditional classrooms as well, because they are taught to be self-directed and autonomous. The Montessori classroom is ideal for this age as it creates a sense of structure and order important at this age, while allowing children to follow their interests and natural desire to play and learn.
SKILLS AND SUBJECTS COVERED IN OUR PRIMARY CLASSROOM
Our Primary students are taught grace and courtesy at the very beginning of their journey into the Montessori world. As a result, your child becomes skilled at respectfully interacting with his peers. As the Montessori teacher guides children through basic principles of grace and courtesy eliminates most classroom conflict, and also motivates your child to behave respectfully in all areas of life.
Through age-appropriate activities in our classroom, your preschooler is exposed to and develops understanding in numerous subjects including:
PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT
Often, children who don’t do things for themselves simply don’t know how or haven’t been given the chance. We take a different approach – by observing your child closely, providing just the right lesson when she is ready and then allowing her to practice again and again (and again!) until she masters it. Mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities in an atmosphere of patience, trust and respect.