Programs

Pre-school or Pre-Kindergarten is a three year program for children age three to six. The third year is their Kindergarten year. The pre-school curriculum at Little Blossom Montessori School parallels the abilities and needs of young children. From age three to six children are absorbing information at a rapid rate. Most of what they learn is done by touching and moving objects, what teachers call “hands-on” learning. They also have a desire to choose what interests them and to do things by themselves.

Kindergarten

Third year children have grown from being newcomers to “upper classmen.” Other children look up to them and even ask them for lessons. Most are writing well, and many are beginning to read. These abilities plus their knowledge about the room and its activities makes them indispensable to their companions and they become confident in what they do.

Kindergarten children also accumulate a great deal of experience which allows them to become very creative with their work. First or second year students use Montessori building materials to understand size differentiation; now they can use these same materials to make complex patterns. As younger students they could learn about science through observation or by using materials; now they can write about their experiences.

The Kindergarten year is the final year of the pre-school program. It is a very exciting, challenging and rewarding time for all the children! Most have spent two years building skills and learning their way around the class. They have formed friendships and developed a wide base of knowledge in each area of the classroom.
 

At Little Blossom Montessori School the Kindergarten program includes additional time for these children to work and learn as a group. After the younger children go home, they come together from all the classes, eat lunch, and then spend the next hour and a half in activities which enrich their learning and help prepare them for elementary school. This special time also gives them many opportunities to work with a partner or in a group. Together they may create a science project, or write and perform a play.

Montessori Kindergarten is especially suited to those children with “late birthdays” – who miss the September 1 cut-off and must wait a year for First Grade. Materials in a Montessori 3-6 classes can be used for teachings first, second, even third grade subject matter. In fact a number of the materials are used again, at a more sophisticated level, in Montessori elementary.

Full Day Programs

7:00 a.m to – 6:00 p.m

All-day Montessori provides a house for children who stay for a full day (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).  In the all-day program, the children live in a community which has, both a Montessori prepared environment which includes room for all-day activities such as cooking, meal preparation and serving, play and exercise, napping, art activities, and creative dramatics.  Because the children spend more time in the Montessori environment, the all-day Montessori program follows a slower pace with greater exploration of Montessori activities than does the half-day morning program.

Afternoons at the Little Blossom Montessori School are filled with excitement.  The afternoons are filled with recreational activities designed to build social skills, sportsmanship, and special interests.  The activities include art, science, stories, cooking, movement, games, and fun. Afternoons have been carefully designed to allow plenty of opportunity to explore a wide variety of interests!  Our students have the opportunity to join special interest classes.

Extended Care Program

8:30 a.m to – 3:00 p.m

The Extended Care Program is available for parents whose commitments require after-school supervision of their elementary-aged children. Children may be enrolled for the entire five-day week or any number of days in between. Extended Care offers a balance of recreational and educational opportunities in a home-like environment.

This program has been carefully designed with the help of the North American Montessori Teachers Association for children ages 3-4 who require extended care for more than our half day Children's House experience. The children who enroll in the Extended Day program will find that it is an extension of their home environment. After the three-hour Children's House morning cycle, the children play outside in our beautiful outdoor environment. Then they have a full hour for lunch, which encompasses family rituals: the children share responsibility for setting tables and for cleaning up.

After lunch, young children rest or nap, while the older children resume working with advanced Montessori materials and activities. The afternoon portion of the day also provides the All Day child with opportunities for outside play and care of the outdoor environment.

Morning Program for 3,4, 5 and 6 year olds

8:30 a.m to – 11:30 p.m

Depending on the age, in Little Blossom Montessori School classrooms learning is very individualized and self paced. Children, under the direction of a qualified Montessori teacher, are engaged in a variety of activities designed to develop concentration, attention, coordination, and a logical, ordered and sequential thought process. Each classroom activity is executed from beginning to end with careful attention to the accuracy of sequence and process in six basic and interrelated curriculum areas: Practical Life, Language, Sensorial, Mathematics, Geography , and Science.

Each day the child experiences group lessons, singing, and movement as well as substantial time for independent, uninterrupted work.  Snack preparation, self toileting, care of the environment, outdoor play, and gross motor activities round out the daily experience.   The classroom becomes a home away from home where children feel secure knowing their physical and emotional needs will be met and they are confident to attempt new and exciting challenges.  

Afternoons for 3, 4, 5 and 6 year olds

1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m.

Three year old and younger four-year-old children who remain at Little Blossom Montessori School from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m enjoy rest and quiet time.   Often these children bring a favorite stuffed animal, small blanket or pillow, or other familiar “cuddly” to make a comfortable nap.  After rest time some children may enjoy outdoor play and snack.  Your child will be integrated into the afternoon academic Montessori class, as he or she is ready.  

The Montessori learning experience continues into the afternoon at Little Blossom Montessori School. This continuation of the morning program and is available to older fours, five, and six-year-old children ready for an extended Montessori day.  The emphasis during this time is on advanced Montessori activities with time for both small group and individual lessons.  The afternoon includes reading chapter books, creative writing, advanced math and in-depth science and geography lessons.