Montessori School
Entering the Montessori classroom; is entering into a world specially prepared for the comfort and stimulation of a child. The Montessori classroom is a designed environment where children work together or individually with multi-sensory materials that invite them to touch, to think and to experience.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of a Montessori School is the total preparation of the classroom to the needs of the growing and learning child. The school itself is designed as a “developmental aid” in which materials, furnishings, and decoration are selected to offer the child an orderly yet stimulating setting for exploration. Specially designed and tested materials are arranged to attract the child’s interest to a broad range of practical life exercises, sensory skills and academic fundamentals. As the child progresses, these materials serve to build a lasting framework of knowledge based on touching, seeing and hearing. This framework is quickly filled with true understanding of the concepts required for a lifetime of learning as the fundamentals of Mathematics, English, and French language skills, Science and Geography, Art and Music are revealed.
Our fenced-in, courtyard playground provides our students with an area to run and play. Our CSA approved climbing structure allows for the use of gross and fine motor skills. Toys are provided for creative play.
We have daily use of the gymnasium. Monday through Thursday morning the students play games such as Red Rover, Simon Says, Mr. Wolf and Duck Duck Goose.
Organized games enhance listening skills, co-operation and good sportsmanship.
Montessori School
Entering the Montessori classroom; is entering into a world specially prepared for the comfort and stimulation of a child. The Montessori classroom is a designed environment where children work together or individually with multi-sensory materials that invite them to touch, to think and to experience.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of a Montessori School is the total preparation of the classroom to the needs of the growing and learning child. The school itself is designed as a “developmental aid” in which materials, furnishings, and decoration are selected to offer the child an orderly yet stimulating setting for exploration. Specially designed and tested materials are arranged to attract the child’s interest to a broad range of practical life exercises, sensory skills and academic fundamentals. As the child progresses, these materials serve to build a lasting framework of knowledge based on touching, seeing and hearing. This framework is quickly filled with true understanding of the concepts required for a lifetime of learning as the fundamentals of Mathematics, English, and French language skills, Science and Geography, Art and Music are revealed.
Our fenced-in, courtyard playground provides our students with an area to run and play. Our CSA approved climbing structure allows for the use of gross and fine motor skills. Toys are provided for creative play.
We have daily use of the gymnasium. Monday through Thursday morning the students play games such as Red Rover, Simon Says, Mr. Wolf and Duck Duck Goose.
Organized games enhance listening skills, co-operation and good sportsmanship.
What Does Montessori Mean for the child?
Montessori education has an international reputation and influence. It is a holistic approach: it develops and educates the whole child, physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally.
Montessori is child centred: each child progresses at his or her own pace, not pressured to achieve and encouraged to follow his/her own path of development. It offers a unique combination of highly structured curriculum and the freedom for the child to choose his/her own activities. Because they have a choice, Montessori children become enthusiastic learners.
Emphasis is placed on developing children’s creative imagination through art, craft and drama.
Our school is geared for children from 2.5 or 3 years of age with the expectation that they remain with us for the next three years as a replacement for kindergarten. We offer five half day or five full-day programs with snacks and lunch provided by the school.
Classroom Design
Montessori classrooms resemble one another with respect to how the environment is arranged. However, each Montessori environment is special and unique and will reflect the personalities of its teachers. This is no different for Bayside Montessori school. Our classroom is bright and inviting. You will find signs of the pride our staff and students take in the classroom on the shelves, walls and bulletin boards.
The Montessori classroom is divided into five areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Culture and Science, Mathematics, and Language.
Additionally, there is usually an area set aside for various projects and an outdoor area for play and further experiential learning.
Although the areas and work within the areas build upon one another, no subject is taught in isolation. The whole classroom is accessible to the children at all times and once a child receives a presentation on a particular work, he or she is welcome to choose the work independently going forward.
