Curriculum

“Natural Learning” is…

..following each child’s innate ability and drive to learn. Children naturally learn through play and practice. It is believed that it takes about 1000 repetitions to learn a skill, UNLESS it is done with joy. Then it only takes 12 repetitions!

Playing to learn builds…

Open-ended play is the foundation for the curriculum, especially for the younger students. Children are born to play and move about within healthy boundaries. It is within this space that children thrive and build essential concepts needed for later focus work and academics. Without allowing the child to pass through this necessary stage of development, the human body will push back and demand its time to reset.

But what is play exactly?

Play can look like many things in our school setting. Generally it is based on loose parts and open ended materials. Offering both small and large opportunities for play fosters whole brain and body development. For example, table top blocks are a classic version of loose parts play. But larger opportunities involve all the muscles and problem solving skills, such as moving a sandbag for building a large obstacle course. Taking risks, such as climbing a tree, builds confidence within the child. Playing with others offers multiple opportunities to practice communication skills, social skills and problem solving skills.

Daily reflections communicate learning

Each day, the children reflect on play, and write their own Journal Reflections to share and take home. Journal Reflections are intended to allow children to communicate the intentions behind play. They also help spark the conversation at home when a parent may ask, “what did you do today?”

Our school also utilizes the Transparent Classroom online app that helps to track learning milestones through a Montessori lense. Parents will be given log-in information upon enrollment.

Parents fear their child won’t learn academics

Overcoming parental fears is normal! Parents often fear their child won’t learn unless they are sitting at a desk and forced to learn to write. A child may learn to write this way, however, why remove the enjoyment of writing? What other creature writes, other than humans? Learning with joy can be a reality.

In addition to joyfulness, a sense of work ethic can only be cultivated through an inner shift the child must learn through practicing choice. It may seem counterintuitive! However, this element of choice aids in building the child’s work ethic. It is why trusting the child is a foundational concept!

Guided learning opportunities with “Invitations to learn”

Invitations to learn are opportunities for the children to explore different academics, ideas, skills, and crafts. These are the guided learning opportunities available each week that expand upon the children’s interests and needs. Children ages 3-9 may choose to participate or opt out without disruptions. Healthy choice options are essential for building work ethic!

The Montessori element…

Embracing the genius of the Montessori method allows the children to learn in a holistic and natural way. Some characteristics of a Montessori school are mixed age groups, uninterrupted blocks of time to learn (known as “work periods“), and lessons built on solid foundations of simplicity and concrete experiences.

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A “prepared environment” gives the children access to multiple subjects and levels of learning at all times. I like to think of it as something similar to a chef’s kitchen that is thoughtful, clean, organized and ready for creative use.