~ Pre K/Kindergarten Program ~

Class Overview | Goals | Sample Schedule

Class Overview
As the children arrive, they usually play outdoors before coming in for the morning group time. Both our Mandeville and Metairie campuses have wonderful playgrounds. The children not only enjoy playing and socializing, they have the opportunity for gross motor development.

Our morning grouptimes are designed to foster a sense of belonging and help the children make the transition from romping outdoors to being inside where we use our inside voices and walking legs. It is this type of support which helps the children develop self-discipline.

During free work the children move freely from area to area. They work alone if they like or sometimes with friends. A spirit of cooperation and respect is evident. It’s such a joy of experience all these self-directed, happy children. I am still in awe of them after all these years. I look forward to seeing you at Kinder Haus, and showing you the class in progress.

Some distinguishing characteristics of the Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom follows:

The Montessori PreK/Kindergarten classroom is quite different from a traditional classroom. Its concept was created by Dr. Montessori in the early 1900’s and continues to be used worldwide.

The 3-6 year old children are all grouped together for a purpose. The younger children have “role models”, similar to a family with older and younger children. Younger children watch and follow the example of older children naturally — just as the younger child in a family wants to be like the older, and do what they do.

Older children often demonstrate lessons to the younger ones; this has a twofold benefit. The younger children are always eager to have attention from the “big kids” they enjoy this interaction, and will often want a lesson from a friend, and not want one from a teacher. Secondly, the older children benefit by being able to be “helpers”. They are proud of their work, and the ability to help teachers, and enjoy the attention from the younger ones. Most of them remember being the younger ones. They have earned their rank — they won’t have the opportunity to feel the biggest or smartest at their school for many years to come.

The Kindergarten children gain tremendous self-esteem during their final year; feel smart, capable and ready to welcome challenges. This is a special gift, and an exceptional springboard to first grade.

There are 36 children and three Montessori directresses in a class.

Academics
Acedemic achievements are not the goals of a Montessori program. They are the result of them. Children who are allowed to learn in environments that nurture their natural love of learning develop a desire to learn, and the concentration that allows them to do so. Most Montessori students — especially those who begin at a younger age, usually excel at academics. The Montessori equipment is designed to be “hands on” concrete learning material. When children learn math and language in this concrete way, if forms a very solid foundation for future academics.

The practical and sensorial areas of the classroom have activities, which prepare the child for academics. These activities teach concentration, develop hand/eye coordination, small motor control and visual discrimination.

Each child in the 3-6 classroom is working at their own pace. In the same way that each child does not walk and talk at the same time, nor will they read at the same time.

If children are pushed into academics, they lose their love of learning. Many parents become nervous and concerned about academics. It has been our experience that children will usually become “academically ready” between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 years of age. Any academic pressure before they’re ready can backfire!

Pre-K and Kindergarten Goals

Emotional Development
Our emotional goals for children enrolled in our Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten class are for each child to:

• acquire a sense of security and safety
• continue developing their unique personality
• develop feelings of adequacy, autonomy, independence and self-confidence

Cognitive Development

To stimulate formation of the intellect by:

• allowing and encouraging creativity
• allowing children to learn from mistakes
• developing language (vocabulary, communication)
• encouraging critical thinking or problem solving skills,; the ability to move intentionally
• refining memory skills
• laying foundations for and introducing History, Reading, Math, Geography and Science concepts through concrete operations and experience
• encouraging cultural awareness
• establishing new skills and competencies
• encouraging mastery of the ability to concentrate and complete tasks

Social Development

For each child to:

• develop self-discipline/self-control
• acquire manners
• practice patience
• exercise respect for others
• gain knowledge of appropriate and specific pro-social behaviors
• demonstrate willingness to cooperate

Character Development Goals

The development of character is the “awakening of conscience”. Moral intelligence is developed by:

• encouraging perserverence
• demonstrating and encouraging care of our classroom and outdoor environment
• assisting in the formation of personality traits such as empathy, compassion, and honesty

Motor Skills Development

Development of motor skills is important in its own right, but there is also a corelation between these skills and brain development. Our program is designed to:

• refine balance and coordination
• stimulate and refine small motor skills (fingers and hand strength needed for writing)
• develop grace and control of movement
• allow for necessary outdoor play for strength, aerobic exercise and fresh air
• introduce rhythm via movement to music.

Schedule

Pre-K(K) Sample Schedule

7:30 Freeplay
8:00 Outside-playtime (full time kids)
8:45 (part time kids arrive)
9:20 Transition inside\grouptime
9:40 Dismiss the children to wash hands\self serve snack
Montessori Work period
10:50 Grouptime(potty check)
11:00 Transition outside
11:30 Lunch (Transition inside-Dismiss to wash hands)
12:00 Naptime
1:15 Non Resters may get up\potty check\choose work
1:30 Naptime over\turn on lights\potty check\ work period
2:00 Transition outside (Piano song role of choice) potty check
2:30 Transition inside\Grouptime
2:45-3:00 Dismiss 3 o’clockers
3:00-4:00 Free play
4:00 Grouptime\ Transition outside\potty check
4:30 Transition inside\evening self serve snack
4:45-5:30 Kids help clean classroom
5:30 Combine remaining students in toddler class

Schedules are subject to change according to the needs of the children.