“An interesting piece of work, freely chosen, which has the virtue of inducing concentration rather than fatigue, adds to the child’s energies and mental capacities, and leads him to self-mastery.” – Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

CURRICULUM

Dr. Montessori recognized that all people undergo successive and predictable stages of development throughout their lives. Therefore, the learning environment must be adequately set up to address and respond to the child’s changing needs from infancy to maturity. Our school provides the opportunity for the child to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills that foster a love for learning, human values and responsibilities for him/herself and the environment around him/her.

TODDLER - "HELP ME TO DO IT MYSELF"
Half day: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM • Full day: 8:30 AM – 2:45 PM The Toddler Class consists of children 18 months to 3 years of age. Toddlers possess a wonderful desire to explore their environment. Everything they experience they must observe, touch, hear and say. Our Toddler Community is a loving and caring extension of the child’s home environment, which enables and encourages the free and comfortable exploration essential to this age. It is also Pre-Primary class in which children learn the basic classroom rules such as receiving a lesson, working at a table, using a floor mat to work, eating and potty training. Children become independent by learning many practical life skills such as putting their shoes on, wiping a spill, pouring water, etc. Essentially, once a child starts in this class, transitioning into the Primary class is fairly simple and easy.

Primary –“I AM AN EXPLORER”
Half day: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM • Full day: 8:30 AM – 2:45 PM Dr. Montessori wrote, “The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed. But not only his intelligence; the full totality of his psychic powers.... At no other age has the child greater need of an intelligent help, and any obstacle that impedes his creative work will lesson the chance he has of achieving perfection.” - The Absorbent Mind

The Primary Class consists of children ages 3 years to 5 years. In this classroom children learn a variety of curriculum areas such as Language, Math, Geography, Science, Music, Art, Social Studies, Cultural, Botany, etc. Essentially this program prepares the child in a foundation that is solid in the required areas for future learning.

Each lesson is introduced by the Lead Teacher on a one-on-one basis. Therefore, depending on the abilities of the child he/she is introduced to the proceeding lesson. The classroom is carefully prepared in such way so as to promote creative learning, socialization, self guided studies and independence. Each lesson invites the child to work at his/her own pace until the work is completed satisfactorily. Students are also encouraged to be protectors of the environment, peace makers and problem solvers.

Dylan Kennedy Montessori offers high-quality educational programs for children essential for maintaining the quality of excellence to which we are committed. DKM offer small class ratios-part-time schedules- extended day available- summer programs.

The Montessori Philosophy
The Montessori Primary classroom is a relaxed yet stimulating environment, where children may learn at their own pace in a noncompetitive fashion. The results are a love of learning, a positive self-image, and a sense of self-direction that form a strong foundation for future growth.

From ages three to six, the child is in the period referred to as the Absorbent Mind. During this time, he literally absorbs everything in his environment through sensorial exploration. He also forms his personality and himself. He constructs his mind - his memory, power to understand, and ability to think through impressions gained from the environment.

Dylan Kennedy Montessori
Our mission is to create a stimulating Montessori environment which cultivates the whole child and allows for the self-creating process of him or her. We provide the “prepared environment” essential to Montessori education from scaled furniture and cleaning utensils to the Montessori materials. The Montessori Primary Program, for ages 3-5, emphasizes the following areas:

• Practical Life
These are exercises in polishing, washing, pouring, or learning to lace and tie a bow, for a few examples. They help the child to become independent and care for his or her own needs.

• Sensorial
These exercises help the child become aware of the world around them. Exercises are designed to help the child isolate, compare, classify perceptions of sounds, smells, colors, sizes, and shapes.

• Language
The study of the English language begins with a phonetic approach. It gradually encompasses all forms of language including writing, reading, punctuation, grammar, spelling, and dramatization. Spanish is incorporated in this exercise.

Mathematics
The Montessori Method to teaching math is a basic one, beginning with concrete objects, moving to the abstract ideas, and associating the two together.

Geography
The children learn the continents of the world as well as the countries of these continents.

Science and Nature
Children are introduced to many topics and learn to make predictions in there Science and Nature activities.

Music
Music is a part of our everyday curriculum during mid-morning circle time. Piano lessons are offered once a week.