At the core of the Montessori approach to education is the curriculum for the 3-6 year-old child. This program is attended by the largest number of children and is the starting place and mainstay of Montessori education worldwide.
Developmentally, the young child is curious about everything and needs to explore and discover. Our Early Childhood 3-6 learning environment is designed to encourage each child to move, touch and manipulate. Each child has the freedom to work independently, based on their own initiatives with respectful guidance from their teacher.
Chiaravalle 3-6 learning environments are inviting, attractive spaces with an intriguing array of learning materials, books, plants, animals, art and music materials and nature activities. The environment contains specially designed, hands-on materials that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Children in a Montessori classroom learn by making discoveries; cultivating concentration, motivation self-discipline, and a love of learning.
Community of Learners
Montessori 3-6 classrooms are places where a child can feel at home and can work with interest at his or her own tempo and level. The Early Childhood 3-6 program is the first classroom with a three-year mixed-age grouping of chldren. Children learn from each other, with older children being role models. Each child learns to cooperate with children of different ages, to respect and celebrate each other efforts and to take care of themselves, others and their environment. The classroom is a thriving community where children are treated, and learn to treat other, with respect and dignity.
Learning Environment
Our classrooms are prepared with the child, and only the child, in mind. The physical space and routines are designed to maximize independent learning and exploration. Objects are placed so children can reach what they need, without having to wait for adult help.
Dr Montessori noticed that children learn less from listening to an adult talk, and more from direct experience with objects in their environment. Children have a deep urge to need to manipulate and explore. Montessori developed learning materials to stimulate the child into discovery. Each Montessori material is simple and carefully designed to appeal to the child at this stage of development.
The prepared environment focuses on the child and in this space only things that will assist the child's development, and encourage spontaneous activity will be present.
Montessori Curriculum
The daily practice of Montessori philosophy is made possible by a clearly defined Montessori curriculum. The Montessori curriculum includes practical life, sensorial activities, language, mathematics, botany, geography, art, music, drama, and environmental studies.
Early Childhood [3-6]
- Ages 3 – 6
- 5 days per week
- 3 hours either AM or PM
- Includes the Kindergarten Year in Core Program
- Montessori Certified Teachers
- Multi-age grouping
- Teachers get to know parents and children during the 3 years—enhances understanding of each child
- Children belong to a cohort
- Children learn from older students—mentor younger ones
- Prepared environment—practical life, sensorial, language, math, and cultural
Early Childhood [3-6]
- Ages 3 – 6
- 5 days per week
- 8:30 to 4:30
- Includes snacks, lunch, and nap
- Includes the Kindergarten Year in Core Program
- Montessori Certified Teachers
- Multi-age grouping
- Teachers get to know parents and children during the 3 years—enhances understanding of each child
- Children belong to a cohort
- Children learn from older students—mentor younger ones
- Prepared environment—practical life, sensorial, language, math, and cultural
Kindergarten at Chiaravalle is part of the Early Childhood 3-6 program. During the third year, children can also extend the day with Kindergarten Enrichment. Full Day students participate in Enrichment instead of napping. This third year is a very exciting experience for the Chiaravalle student. Younger children will often remark about what the “Kinders” are doing and what will happen when they become one. Kinder year culminates with the Science Fair and the Drama Presentation. Both offer the children the opportunity to actively showcase the work that they have been doing that year.
Kindergarten Enrichment Program
- Five year-old children
- 5 days per week
- Lunch experience—making own lunch—environmentally friendly—grace and courtesy
- Specifically-designed curriculum that offers opportunity for individual and group work
- Specials that include Science, Junior Great Books, Drama, Kinetic Rhythm, and Art Through the Ages
- Field trips
Chiaravalle offers extensions for the day for students to accommodate the needs of working parents. Children in the Early Childhood Full Day 3-6 program may extend the day before or after school — or both. We do, however, maintain an academic schedule, so working families need to plan for school closure over winter break (2 weeks), spring break (1 week), cleaning and set-up at the end of summer (2 weeks) as well as miscellaneous federal holidays and faculty professional development.
Breakfast—Before School Care
- 5 days per week
- 7:30 to 8:30
- Well-balanced meal
- Trained staff members
After School
- 5 days per week
- 4:30 to 6:00
- Montessori Teachers
- Projects
- Gross motor play time