Montessori Pre-Primary Program
The Pre-Primary Program at Montessori in the Park is a specialized curriculum for children ages 18 months to 3 years, serving as a preparatory program for transition into a Montessori preschool. Children are exposed to Practical Life activities and the beginnings of the Sensorial materials which are appropriate for the emergent two-year-old. Water work, puzzles, math activities, manipulatives, and language tasks round out the choices available during the daily work time. The concept of grace and courtesy is introduced and implemented during morning snack and lunchtime.
The ratio in the classroom is one-to-six; i.e., one teacher per six children, ensuring that children who have not yet had an academic experience will make a successful transition into a group care environment. Toilet training is also an important component of the Pre-Primary Program and teachers work closely with parents to guarantee a painless progression to independent toileting.
During the early years’ children use their bodies, senses, and emerging problem-solving skills to learn and make sense of their world.
Dr. Montessori was one of the first educators to recognize these early years of a child’s life as critical to the development of personality and intellect. Toddlers actively seek out information, they learn quickly and easily, and are especially interested in demonstrating independence.
Dr. Montessori also noted the correlation between intellect and movement. Current research has proven movement is critical for developing the neural pathways of intelligence. For this reason, children are free to move and explore as they are developmentally ready.