Welcome to Kindergarten
and Pre-K!
COVID 19! Help me teach my child!!
If this is how you feel, I am right there with you parents! Here are some OPTIONAL ideas you can try at home that do not require an internet connection or a device:
Write with sidewalk chalk-Practice name, letters, numbers, and 3 letter words
Money Identification-Pull out your child's piggy bank and sort all the coins. Then idenify them and how much they are worth.
Scavengar Hunts- Create your own or there are plenty online. Take a walk in your back yard and see what you can find. You can change it up to find 15 leaves, 12 rocks, 3 feathers, etc. This way they are counting, are being exposed to nature and exercise! :)
Read, read, read!-Whether you read to them or they are reading to you. Both experiences are important to children. There are some links to the right that reads them as well.
Practical Life Exercises-- As a Montessori school, we teach practical life to our little ones. They love it! You may be thinking what on earth is that practical life? Well, it's teaching our students things they need for life not just in the classroom. For example, tying shoes, pouring things (from 1 container to another), putting batteries in a flashlight, using tongs to move objects from one bowl to another, folding clothes, making your bed, etc. The possibilities are endless here! If you need more examples or explanation, feel free to contact me.
Make a collage-Have your child cut out pictures from magazines or old books. Use those pictures to create a scene, sort them into living/nonliving, nouns (people, places, things, or animals). You could also just cut out shapes of contruction paper and glue it to a different piece.
Good Ol' Fashion Boards Games/Card Games- This will help to teach children how to follow rules of a game, sportsmanship (how to win/lose graciously), and will help them and you to have fun and pass the time.
Please check out the links on the right hand side of this page. These are websites that are fun, educational, and engaging for children. Enjoy!
What Makes Montessori Education Unique?
(courtesy of montessoriconnections.com)
The whole child approach
The primary goal of a Montessori program is to help each child reach their full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation for future intellectual academic endeavors. The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specifically prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning, the time to enjoy the process and ensures the development of self esteem. It provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge.
The Prepared environment
In order for self directed learning to take place, the whole learning environment - classroom, materials and social setting / atmosphere - must be supportive of the child. The teacher provides the necessary resources, including opportunities for children to function in a safe and positive environment. Together, the teacher and child form a relationship based on trust and respect that fosters self-confidence and a willingness to try new things. (This part is one my favorites because the environment is prepared specifically to meet the needs of the children. For example, smaller furniture, orderly and decorated to feel like your are at home.)
The Montessori materials
Dr. Montessori's observations of the kinds of things which children enjoy and go back to repeatedly, led her to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential and self correcting materials to facilitate learning. (The Montessori materials are AMAZING! If you haven't seen them, you need to come see for yourself. Each material has a well thought out purpose!)
The teacher
Originally called a "directress", the Montessori teacher functions as a designer of the environment, resource person, role model, demonstrator, record-keeper and meticulous observer of each child's behavior and growth. The teacher facilitates learning. Extensive training is required for a full Montessori credential. (I am currently going through training to become Montessori certified. Another great thing about Montessori is that your child will have 2 teachers! Mrs. Saundra and I work together to give your child the best!)
You can also email me at [email protected]
if e-mail is more convenient for you!