The Importance of Early Childhood Education
 Transition Class |
 Preschool Program |
 KG and First Grade |
Dr. Montessori wrote "The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man's intelligence itself, his greatest implement is being formed. But only his intelligence; the full totality of his psychic powers... At no other age has the child greater need of an intelligent help, and any obstacle that impedes his creative work will lessen the chance he has of achieving perfection."
Maria Montessori (August 31, 1870 – May 6, 1952) was an Italian educator, scientist, humanitarian, and the first female physician to graduate from the University of Rome Medical School. Dr. Montessori initially devised her teaching philosophy in 1896 while working with special needs children in the Psychiatric Department at the University of Rome. After her years of research, she observed that effective learning can happen in an enriched environment that offered interactive yet independent learning opportunities. Her ideology was based on the principle that every human being is created with a unique potential that needs to be discovered, developed and applied at an early age. Her philosophy is founded on the belief that children should be free to succeed and learn without restriction or criticism.
At DAVM we follow the Montessori philosophy and provide a caring and nurturing environment which fosters the development of the whole child. Our program is divided into three levels – Transition class (2.5 yrs -4yrs.), Preschool class (3yrs -5yrs.) and KG & First Grade (5yrs.-7yrs.)
The students in the transition class are between the ages of 2.5 years to 4 years. Since this is their first time away from home, it is essential to provide a nurturing and a caring environment. A positive separation experience is encouraged to help the child make a successful transition from home to school. A carefully prepared environment with challenging and stimulating materials provide an opportunity for the students to explore and experiment. As children work together in the classroom, they are gently guided in a manner, which enhances their innate sense of independence, order, respect, and kindness.
The class is divided into the five basic areas of the curriculum, just like the pre-school class for 3-5 year olds. The activities are sequenced from simple to complex but the curriculum is both simplified and more open-ended for this age group. In the Practical Life area children practice motor control while they acquire the sense of order and concentration to perform everyday tasks that help them achieve that biggest goal: Independence! Sensorial area has materials that encourage exploration of spatial concepts. Language enrichment which includes vocabulary building, rhyming words, sequencing, and opposites are just a few ways in which a child starts the basis of reading. There are indoor as well as outdoor opportunities for gross motor practice and exploration: jumping, climbing, and crawling. There is always room for pretend play, social interaction and time for all those things that children want to do on their own -- taking off (and maybe putting on!) shoes, opening containers, getting dressed, eating independently, toileting. The developmental needs of the children come first. They learn to work both individually or in a group. Since the children have a limited attention span the children in the transition class work in half hour sessions on the Montessori materials. Hindi action songs and Vedic prayers along with fun song for good habits are also part of the daily routine. Weekly yoga class teaches children the correct yoga postures and get into a habit to exercise regularly from a very early age.
The preschool class has students between the ages of 3yrs -5yrs. The Montessori materials in the classroom helps the child develop the necessary concentration, coordination and working habits needed for successfully performing at advanced levels in the language, grammar, math, geography, science, and social studies.
- Practical life enhances the development of fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, gross motor control, and cognitive order through care of self, care of environment, development of social relations, and coordination of physical movement.
- Sensorial area Young children discover the world through their five senses and the Sensorial materials enhance their sensitivity towards their environment through the use of their five senses – sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. The sensorial materials lay a solid foundation for Mathematics, Geometry, and language development.
- Mathematics materials follow a sequential progression from concrete to abstract. This work gives children a solid understanding of basic mathematical principles, prepares them for later abstract reasoning, and helps to develop problem-solving capabilities.
- Language development is vital to human development. The Montessori environment is rich in oral language opportunities, allowing the child to experience conversations, stories and poetry. The sandpaper letters help children link sound and symbol effortlessly, encouraging the development of written expression and reading skills. To further reading development, children are exposed to the study of grammar.
- Cultural activities include geography – the world around us, the various continents, countries, land and water forms, the solar system; botany and zoology – the world of plants and animals. Children learn about people and cultures in other countries with an attitude of respect and admiration. Through familiarity, children come to feel connected to the global human family. Lessons and experiences with nature inspire a reverence for all life.
Kindergarten and First grade Program
It is during the traditional kindergarten year that everything comes to fruition for the child. Reading, writing and mathematical understanding blossom from the many seeds that were planted in the previous two years. The child has a strong set of academic skills; but, far more importantly, they develop an attitude that learning is fun, exciting and boundless.
The curriculum during the KG and first grade includes language - reading, writing, comprehension, grammar, creative writing, Mathematics—Decimal system, linear counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, money, fractions, Geography, botany, Science, Sensorial, Practical Life, Hindi, Yoga, Vedic Mantras and Moral Science. Occasional Field trips and stage performances that help build self esteem, confidence and teach cooperation and team work. IOWA test of basic skills in language and math is given to the students in both KG and first grade level. The results help us gauge how our students are doing academically compared to the national average and also prepare the students for future test taking skills.
