Primary
Ages 3 - 6 years
Our Primary Program
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 2:30pm
Extended Day is available.
Please inquire during your tour about part-time offerings for students during their transition period into the primary classroom.
The Primary program is designed as a community for children. Children choose their work from self-correcting materials displayed on open shelves after the appropriate lesson from the Lead Teacher.
Over a period of time, the children develop into a “normalized community,” working with high concentration in an uninterrupted 3-hour work cycle. Normalization is the process whereby a child moves from being undisciplined to self-disciplined, from disorder to order, from distracted to focused, through work in the environment. The process occurs through repeated work with materials that captivate the child’s attention. In the Montessori Primary classroom, academic competency is a means to an end, and the manipulatives are viewed as “materials for development.”
Primary Programs
Child-centered (not teacher-centered)
Unlike conventional classrooms, where all children are expected to pay close attention to the teacher, our program does the opposite – the teacher is trained to closely observe your child’s interests, tendencies and needs. You won’t see the teacher standing at the front of the classroom speaking to the whole class, but rather down at the child’s level, engaged with an individual child or a small group.
At Pioneer Montessori School, we place the individual child at the heart of the learning process. In the Primary classroom environment, children are encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace, fostering a deep sense of independence and self-motivation. The curriculum is designed to align with each child's unique interests and abilities, allowing them to choose activities that capture their curiosity.
Our teachers act as guides, observing and facilitating each child's progress while providing gentle guidance when needed. This approach nurtures a love for learning and helps children take ownership of their education, fostering a lifelong love of learning and a deep sense of intrinsic motivation.
The gift of choice
At Pioneer Montessori School, our students are bestowed with the invaluable "gift of choice." This unique approach empowers young learners to take control of their education, fostering independence and self-motivation from an early age. In a Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to select their activities and materials, guided by their innate curiosity and interests. This freedom to choose not only enhances their academic growth but also cultivates essential life skills such as decision-making, responsibility, and time management. With the "gift of choice," our students become self-directed learners who embark on a lifelong journey of discovery and self-realization, shaping them into confident and capable individuals.
Kindergarten, the Third Year
Montessori is a continuum of education that allows your child to build upon experiences each year. Your child will stay in the Primary classroom for 3 years, including the traditional “kindergarten year” – when the seeds of learning come to fruition. Kindergarten children continue to explore, discover, and develop foundational skills through hands-on, individualized learning experiences. The mixed-age setting allows kindergarteners to not only build on their existing knowledge but also to mentor younger peers, fostering leadership and empathy. This inclusive approach ensures a smooth transition from early childhood to more advanced learning, maintaining the child's sense of belonging within a familiar and supportive environment.
A mixed-age classroom
The three-year cycle contributes to holistic development, individualized learning, and a strong sense of community among students. It encourages collaboration and social development as younger children learn from older peers, while older students reinforce their knowledge by helping younger ones. This promotes a sense of community and empathy among students. A Montessori prepared environment also caters to each child's individual learning pace and style, allowing them to progress at their own rate rather than being restricted by grade-level norms. This personalized approach boosts self-esteem and confidence as children master skills at their own pace. Our classrooms also foster a sense of continuity and stability, as children remain in the class with the same teacher and classmates for several years. This environment enhances a deep, meaningful teacher-student relationship, promoting a supportive and nurturing learning atmosphere.
Hands-on materials
In Montessori education, children experience the world of learning through the captivating and transformative power of hands-on materials. These carefully designed, tactile tools serve as the gateway to understanding abstract concepts in a concrete manner. Whether it's exploring mathematical principles with colorful beads, refining language skills through interactive word cards, or delving into science and geography with globe models, Montessori students engage with their education in a dynamic and tangible way.
These hands-on materials not only captivate young minds but also enable them to progress at their own pace, building a strong foundation of comprehension and problem-solving skills. As children explore these materials, they discover the joy of discovery and the confidence to explore new horizons. Montessori's emphasis on tactile learning through hands-on materials empowers children to become active participants in their own education, igniting a lifelong passion for knowledge and creativity.
One size does not fit all
Recognizing that every child is a unique individual with their own pace, interests, and learning style, Montessori classrooms embrace a personalized approach to education. Unlike traditional education, Montessori education tailors the learning experience to each child's needs and abilities. Instead of a teacher-directed curriculum based upon age, the teacher is trained to respect your child’s unique potential and connects him with the lesson best suited at that precise moment of development. Your child will be challenged according to their ability, not to a generic standard.
