At Acarath Montessori Center, our preschool is a type of early childhood education program that follows the teaching principles and methods developed by Maria Montessori. Our Montessori education emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and a child-centered approach to learning.
Our preschool children are encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace, using hands-on materials and activities. The classroom is organized into different learning areas, such as language, math, science, art, and practical life skills, where children can choose activities that interest them and work independently or in small groups.
Montessori preschools also prioritize social and emotional development, with an emphasis on promoting empathy, respect, and peaceful conflict resolution. Teachers act as guides and facilitators, observing children's interests and needs and providing guidance and support when necessary. Our preschools aim to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters a love of learning, creativity, and independence in young children.
Preschool Montessori Includes the Following Components:
- Practical Life Skills: Children learn skills such as pouring, spooning, and sweeping, which help develop their fine motor skills and promote independence.
- Sensorial Exploration: Children are provided with materials that stimulate their senses, such as smelling bottles, color tablets, and sound cylinders, which help develop their sensory perception.
- Language: Children are introduced to the sounds and shapes of letters, and are provided with materials to support their development of pre-reading and writing skills.
- Mathematics: Children are introduced to basic math concepts such as counting, sorting, and patterns, using our Montessori materials such as bead bars, number rods, and spindles.
At Acarath Montessori Center, we are staffed by trained Montessori educators who understand the unique developmental needs of young children. They provide a nurturing & supportive environment where children can learn and grow at their own pace, and where parents can feel confident that their child is receiving the highest quality care and education.
Our Preschool Math Approach
Montessori preschool math is taught through hands-on activities and materials that allow children to explore mathematical concepts in a concrete and meaningful way. The Montessori approach to math is based on the belief that children have an innate ability to understand mathematical concepts, and that learning should be a joyful and engaging experience.
At Acarath Montessori Center, our preschool classroom, math activities are typically organized into different categories, such as number work, geometry, and measurement.
Some examples of Montessori math materials includes:
- Number rods: These are wooden rods of different lengths that are used to introduce children to the concept of quantity and to help them understand the relationship between numbers.
- Sandpaper Numerals: These are textured numerals that children can trace with their fingers to reinforce the shape of each number and develop pre-writing skills.
- Golden Beads: These are small, round beads that are used to teach children place value and the four basic math operations addition, subtraction, multiplication & division.
- Geometric Solids: These are three-dimensional shapes that children can explore and manipulate to learn about geometry and spatial relationships.
- Measuring Tools: These include things like scales, measuring cups, and rulers, which children can use to learn about measurement and estimation.
At Acarath Montessori Center, our preschool classroom, math activities are designed to be self-correcting, so that children can learn from their mistakes and develop independence and confidence in their mathematical abilities. Teachers observe children's progress and provide guidance and support as needed, but the emphasis is on allowing children to learn at their own pace and in their own way.
Our Preschool Reading Approach
Acarath Montessori Center’s approach to reading in a holistic way that takes into account the child's overall development and readiness to learn. In our preschool classroom, reading is introduced gradually & organically, through activities that promote language development & phonetic awareness.
Some Common Activities That We Use to Teach Reading Include:
- Sound Games: These are activities that help children develop phonetic awareness and learn to identify sounds in words. For example, a teacher might say a word and ask children to identify the beginning, middle, or ending sound.
- Sandpaper Letters: These are textured letters that children can trace with their fingers while saying the corresponding sound. This helps them develop pre-writing skills and phonetic awareness.
- Moveable Alphabet: This is a set of letters that children can use to create words and sentences. It allows them to explore phonics and spelling in a hands-on way.
- Reading Books: We often use high-quality children's books to promote a love of reading and storytelling. Teachers may read aloud to children or encourage them to read independently.
- Language Activities: Our preschools offer a variety of activities that promote language development and vocabulary, such as storytelling, poetry & conversation.
At Acarath Montessori Center, we approach reading as a natural & joyful process that emerges from children's curiosity and interest in language. Our teachers provide guidance & support as needed, but the emphasis is on allowing children to learn at their own pace and in their own way. Contact us today to schedule a time to talk to our teachers or see our school!