Prescott, AZ
Cedar Tree Playhouse

Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Children ages 3 through 6 are placed together, forming a community in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling â??aheadâ?? or â??behindâ?? in relation to peers.

Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline and love of learning. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education

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We start our day with circle, taking attendance by asking each child a question ie what is your favorite color. Songs follow, we outline our day, and split the children into two groups, one group staying in the classroom where lessons include sounds, math, matching, and free time. The other group goes into the Practical Life Room, where there are lessons for pouring, cutting, sponging, sequencing, art, and free time. After 45 minutes, they change classrooms. We introduce Spanish, sign language, science projects, and geography. Good manners and respect for themselves and others is practiced each day in hands-on things like putting back lessons, cleaning up after themselves after snack and lunch, asking to be excused, yes please, no thank you.

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