Preschool Program

Our program is a traditional Montessori curriculum with emphasis on Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Mathematics.  Visual and Performing Arts:  Music, Art, Drama, and Dance are extracurricular activities.           

Practical life includes motor development through daily living activities fostering order, concentration, coordination and independence.  Children learn to care for self,  the environment, and to develop grace and courtesy in socially related experiences.           

Sensorial activities refine and educate the senses to be aware of differences and similarities in the environment, enabling children to create order and clarity in their sense impressions.           

Language materials are designed to aid the student in attaining and mastering both the written and spoken language.  The development of language begins with speech and progresses into writing, then into reading.  Phonetic writing is stressed.  Time is devoted to reading to the children their personal reading choice to encourage the joy of reading.
          
Mathematical activities are formally introduced with Montessori materials that provide a wide range of opportunities to explore mathematics.  The study of geometry is begun by identifying and constructing geometric shapes and functions.  The student masters abstract mathematical processes after the experience of manipulating physical representations of the concepts.        

Cultural Subjects

The cultural subjects cover history, geography, zoology, botany and biology.  Children observe and care for plants and animals, conduct simple experiments, use puzzle maps, explore seasons, and make time lines.  Goals are to awaken the child's mind to the wonders of the universe, to offer a sense that the child has a part in this great whole, and to help the children develop into tolerant, caring and responsible adults.   

Foreign Language

The study begins informally through simple songs and nomenclature, using concrete material to enhance understanding.  It is offered in preprimary to take advantage of this language sensitive period in a child's life and to increase cultural awareness.      

Science

At CMA , the story of the universe is revealed through exploration and discovery in various scientific pursuits:  astronomy, geology, chemistry, botany, zoology, metrology, physics, anatomy, and environmental science.       

Physical Education

Movement is a fundamental part of the day to day classroom activities, both indoors and out.  Yoga and other controlled movement sets the stage for the mental disciplines to come.   Group creative movement that stimulate muscle coordination, rhythm and balance are a daily experience in the preschool program.         

Art

An integral part of the Montessori curriculum that allows for self -expression and fine motor development.  Art materials are always available in the classroom.       

Computer

Computer exposure is varied suited to the level of the student and correlated with the individual child's classroom learning.      

Music

Enjoying and understanding music encourages the children.  In preschool, the emphasis is on rhythm, song, and using the body as an instrument.         

Library

The library teaches the child to research independently.  It is an essential part of the Montessori curriculum and offer to the child learning opportunities needed for future success.