Primary
Ages 3-6
Half-Day (3-4): M-F, 8:30am-12:30pm
Full-Day (4-6): M-F, 8:30am-2:30pm
The Primary program is truly a gift to your child. Designed for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years, it is an opportunity to nurture their individual development within the context of a group setting. The result? Self-confidence, joy, and a lifelong love of learning. “Help me to help myself” is the call of the Primary child, and they develop their own sense of self and independence through direct experience with the Montessori materials and in relationship to their classroom community.
Our Primary Classrooms
Dr. Montessori used the term “absorbent mind” to characterize the miraculous learning that occurs during the Primary years. Never again will the human mind so effortlessly take in what surrounds it. In the Primary classroom (or "Children's House),
the guides work to perfect the environment, and in it, the children work to perfect themselves. The tremendous care and attention to detail are evident throughout the classroom with low shelves, beautiful artwork, books, and cultural items of interest to pique the young child's curiosity. The environment is also set up to support their “sensitive periods” for touch, order, movement, language, and math.
This creates a welcoming and inviting space that appeals to their emerging independence, and the children respond by developing a sense of classroom ownership and a drive to care for it, further deepening the bonds of the community and their quest to learn.
The Primary Curriculum
The carefully prepared environment allows the young child to experience choice, develop fine and gross motor skills, and ignite their desire for lifelong learning. The Primary curriculum includes Practical Life, Sensorial, language, mathematics, and cultural and natural sciences, with art, music, and movement being a regular part of the day. Lessons are given individually or in small groups, and most of the work is individual and self-correcting, inviting repetition. Three focal points are care of self, care of environment, and care of others. Children learn and practice "Grace and Courtesy" lessons such as how to resolve a conflict in a peaceful way, how to politely navigate social situations, and how to be helpful to others.
Primary Afternoons
After eating lunch as a community, Half-Day children (3s to young 4s) depart at 12:30 pm. Full-Day children (older 4s to 6s) stay for the afternoon and depart at 2:30pm. The additional Montessori work period is for those who have the stamina to withstand the full day at school and the practice and skills to take on more challenging “big” work. Once a child is no longer napping,
and their guides have determined they would benefit from the Full-Day program, they may be invited to remain with their community for the afternoon. This transition typically occurs around 4 1/2 years, but your child's guides will be in conversation with you about the timing that best serves your child.
The Importance of the Third Year
Montessori is a continuum of education that allows your child to build upon experiences each year. To get the full benefit of the Primary curriculum, we strongly encourage that your child stay in the Primary classroom for the full three-year cycle, including their last or “kindergarten year” – when the seeds of learning really blossom. This is the time we begin to see them launching into their reading journeys and taking on more challenging math work in preparation for Lower Elementary, as well as coming into their own as the leaders of their community. At the end of the year, they leave the Primary program with a strong set of academic skills, but also, and far more importantly, with confidence and the attitude that learning is fun, exciting, and boundless.
If you think your child would thrive in a Montessori environment like we offer at Parkside, give us a call or
schedule a tour online. We would love for you to visit our school and learn more.
“I tell my friends endless stories about Parkside all the time. It was the best school I've ever attended. I don't think I'll ever meet two people as extraordinary as Joe and Claire -- they really changed my life. Thank you, Parkside, for all of your contributions, love, and support! ”
- Bella Castillo
