Programs Introduction.
Inquiring parents will notice some core differences in Montessori programming versus a traditional approach. One of these is the multi-age classroom. At A Children’s Habitat you will find classrooms representative of a 3-year cycle, beginning at 18 months of age and continuing through age 12 (traditional Grade 6). Our toddler program begins at 18 months through age 3 where the child then moves to a primary program from age 3 to age six. From there, the student transitions to lower elementary for age 6 to age 9 and then to upper elementary from age 9 to age 12.
In each of these programs, parents are quick to notice a much different classroom feel. Teachers are not in the front of a room and children are not lined in rows of desks. Instead, our classrooms have a busy hum that is relatively quiet in comparison. This is because students begin and end their day together before individually dispersing to complete works on their own. Our guides (our teachers) will work with students to present new materials (lessons) and check in or problem-solve with children as they work, but they will largely fill a role of observation.
This is possible because our skilled and trained educators have established, maintained and utilized a prepared environment prior to and throughout the school day. The classroom is set in a way that facilitates independence and a culture of work, taking into account the psychological characteristics of the children involved. This act inspires and directs a community of learning that meets the needs of the children it serves.
We invite you to dive deeper into the programs themselves and the classrooms. Come see us in action!