Kindergarten
(3–6 years)
The three-year cycle is a key piece of the Montessori method. From ages 3-6, children stay in the same classroom with the same teachers and with classmates in the same age range.
The third year in a Children’s House is often the most rewarding for both parents and children. Montessori parents have referred to kindergarten as the “leap year” because children, building on skills they developed during the previous two years, begin to leap forward in their learning at an astounding rate.
Children look forward to being third year students, as this is when they become leaders in the classroom. They love the opportunity to help younger classmates with their work, just as the older children helped them when they were small. These spontaneous displays of generosity serve as beautiful examples for younger children in the room, and will help them grow to be leaders in turn.
Our Commitment as Educators
Our kindergarten program immerses children in “the basics” (math, reading, and language) and offers a wide range of lessons in science, geography, art, social skills and other cultural areas. By the end of their kindergarten year, Montessori students have often developed academic skills beyond those of most children enrolled in traditional American kindergarten programs. Academic progress, however, is not our ultimate goal. We aim to educate the whole child, not just the parts that show up on tests and report cards. We want to help children develop a love of learning in itself and to feel good about themselves as learners. We want them to develop inner security, a sense of order, pride, appreciation for the environment, curiosity, concentration, self-discipline, and responsibility for oneself and others.
