The Pre-School Classroom (for the 3 - 5 year old)
Dr. Montessori observed that children are comfortable and secure in prepared environments where every object has its place and activities are performed in an orderly fashion..
Each pre-school class consists of a mixed age group. This grouping enables children to learn from and help each other without the pressure of competition.
Practical life activities such as buttoning, pouring, and washing enable the young child to acquire a wide range of skills necessary in building the child's self-confidence and self-image as a successful, capable person.
The basic readiness skills and concepts necessary for reading, writing, and math are developed in a broadly based program which includes science, outings to the woods, art, music, physical education, movement, and social studies.
Through the continuous fostering of the child's curiousity, children take on increasing responsibility in the management of the classroom.
The range of activities in each classroom can satisfy both the youngest child's interest in concrete manipulative materials and the older child's increasing understanding of abstract concepts.

Each child may choose an activity and pursue it for long periods of time, working alone or with others.		The many open-ended materials in the rooms, such as blocks and a wide variety of art materials, encourage the child to explore the world creatively.