Overview

Our Young Children’s Community is designed to be an extension of the home environment, providing a range of activities to serve the child’s intellectual, social, and physical development. At MSD, students are provided an opportunity to explore and learn freely within the classroom. All furniture and materials are carefully selected to promote independence, self-confidence, and a positive attitude towards learning. These materials refine hand-eye coordination, while connecting the child to a learning experience that encourages exploration, discovery, socialization, and play.

Curriculum

Dr. Maria Montessori believed young children to be particularly sensitive to learning from their environment. She referred to this experience as “work”. The guides support the children by presenting carefully designed materials and then allowing them to work at their own pace. The following areas of work are presented in the Young Children’s Community: 

Language – As this is the most sensitive period for acquiring language, each child’s day is enriched through conversation, songs, and stories. Children use pictures and small realistic figurines to learn different names of animals, things found in nature, and more about their world.

Practical Life/Fine & Gross Motor – Children of this age have a biological necessity to move. The young child develops movement, independence, and concentration through practical life experiences such as watering plants, sweeping the floor, and washing dishes. At snack and lunch time, children share the responsibilities of setting the table and cleaning up afterwards.  These activities also refine fine and gross motor development.

Self-Care Skills – Children are encouraged and assisted in developing self-care skills such as dressing, undressing, and using the toilet.

Transition to Children’s House – Around the age of 3, Young Children’s community students transition into the Children’s House community. Children that attend our Young Children’s Community typically experience a smoother transition into the Children’s House classroom when they are ready.

Why 5 days a week?

We strive to create an environment where order, consistency, and independence is valued. Children at this developmental stage do not have the understanding of time and benefit from a consistent schedule. When there are gaps in attendance the children may become confused by the routine, lose enthusiasm for work, and do not achieve the repetition required for mastery of skills.

Schedule of the Day

7:30 – 8:15 AM Sunrise School

8:15 – 8:30 AM Transition from Sunrise School to classrooms & arrival for all students

8:30 – 10:30 AM Morning work cycle & snack

10:30 – 11:30 AM Morning recess

11:30 – 12:30 PM Lunch

12:30 – 3:00 PM Nap

1:30 – 3:00 PM Afternoon work cycle as children wake up from nap

3:15- 3:30 PM Recess & Dismissal, transition for those in Sunset School

3:30 – 5:30 PM Sunset School