CASA PROGRAMS – AGES 2 ½ TO 6 YEARS OLD

Dr. Maria Montessori (1870 – 1952) developed a philosophy of education, which enabled children to develop and learn naturally, through spontaneous, self-directed activities. She recognized that during the first six years of life, children experience a series of “sensitive periods”. We take advantage of these “sensitive periods” by helping the children develop the five senses and assisting them in perfecting these natural learning tools. To do this fully, new students must start school before the age of 4, and preferably by 3 years of age.

A Montessori school is a miniature society in which children live and work co-operatively. Aurora Montessori and Private School is set up in such a way as to facilitate this kind of development. An important factor in establishing a community feeling is having a three-year age span in the class. Since each student proceeds at his or her own pace, each is better able to enjoy his or her own accomplishments rather than comparing himself or herself with the others in the class.

The aim of AMS is to create an environment in which children respect the rights of others and feel a responsibility to others, while respecting their own individuality. This will help to prepare the children to responsibly participate in society.

Objectives of the AMS Casa Program

• To help the student to be active in the process of learning
• To assist the student to develop a stronger character and a natural love of learning that will last throughout his or her life.
• To develop adaptability and creativity in learning and living.
• To acquire the fundamental skills needed to communicate, through words, numbers and symbols. To allow the student to enjoy and gain satisfaction from sharing using various forms of artistic expression.

All of this takes place in a carefully “prepared environment” and under the observation of a qualified, accredited Montessori director/ess. Students are encouraged to choose work independently and with complete freedom of choice, within limits. The autodidactic, self-correcting materials encourage independence and build the children’s self-esteem and confidence. Students become active participants in their family and society dynamics.

Casa Materials and Activities


The Montessori curriculum is vigorous at the Casa level. The pedagogy covers both traditional academic subjects such as Mathematics, Language, Art and Culture, as well as uniquely Montessori subjects such as Practical Life and Sensorial activities. The materials and activities provided in a Montessori environment are:

1. Practical Life
   
   These materials relate to the care of self, and care of the indoor and outdoor environment. The exercises also enable children to develop independence, concentration, self-esteem, confidence, and co-ordination of movement.
   
   
   
2. Sensorial
   
   The sensorial materials provide the first introduction to the refinement of all senses, discrimination of size, height, width, and breadth dimensions, as well as geometric shapes.
   
   
   
3. Mathematics
   
   Manipulative materials and exercises in this area will help the child to grasp the concepts of numeration, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and introduce the decimal system.
   
   
4. Language Arts
   
   Verbally integrates all subject areas into the total development of language; from listening to stories, expressing experiences and creative writing. The students learn to read by developing an awareness of sound isolation, and through the use of the Montessori phonetic language system.

5. Culture
   
   Children at the Casa level are very interested to learn about the world that they live in. The Montessori classroom provides information encompassing the subject of botany, science, zoology, geography, history and art.

In the Spring of their graduating year, Casa students participate in a standardized achievement test. The achievement test measures the growth in the fundamental skills, vocabulary, reading, use of language, mathematics and use of information.
Along with the regular Montessori program, the children are introduced to:


Music

The music program is designed to develop a response to rhythm, tempo and melodic direction through activities such as group and individual singing, playing of rhythm instruments and dance.


Art

The art program is integrated into the regular Montessori exercises. The students learn basic skills such as cutting with scissors and pasting, while exploring different textures and materials. Each month, the children learn about a famous artist.


French

The children are introduced to French through songs, games and other fun activities. In this way, students become aware of a new language and are excited to practice using it. New vocabulary is taught using the actual object, which is then touched and felt, and by performing the action described.


Physical Education