Children are encouraged to use manners and develop empathy for one another. Conflict resolution development among children is paramount in our school. Teachers model respectful, peaceful interactions and utilize natural teachable moments that come up throughout the day to promote the practice of grace and courtesy.

Children develop skills which will be used throughout their lives such as pouring, cleaning and doing up buckles and buttons. The list of practical life building skills is endless and the children love to develop their self-sufficiency.

Children move from the study of their home and school environment to discover the greater world around them. Montessori cultural materials such as wooden maps, flags and globes beautifully promote this exploration. Cultural themes will be built upon with lesson extensions in Art and Cooking classes.

Our Montessori program sensorial materials promote children’s spatial awareness and appeal to the development of their five senses. The materials are colourful and lovely to handle with many built-in lesson extensions which truly engage children.

Beginning with sandpaper letters children learn the phonetic sounds of each letter of the alphabet. Through a series of one-on-one lessons with a trained Montessori teacher, children begin to make connections between the sounds of individual letters and the printed word. The Montessori language materials seamlessly build upon newly acquired language skills promoting children’s understanding of language as a whole.

Children are introduced to numbers by using Montessori math materials. They learn what quantities feel like and look like before they are introduced to a numeric symbol. The Montessori Mathematic materials promote the children’s mathematical understanding through exploration, one on one lessons and games.

We have a beautiful commercial kitchen where we host weekly baking and cooking classes. The kitchen has been modified to include a child height island and sink for the little cooks to work from.

Children will plant, maintain and harvest a large variety of vegetables in organic soil using our own composted material to enrich the soil. When possible (seasonal) the children will use the harvested vegetables and fruits in wholesome recipes in the baking and cooking classes.

The doors to the fenced playground area open directly from the school. Bambini’s and preschool children have separate playgrounds. Many activities take place outdoors including gardening, sandbox area and free play with a host of interesting outdoor equipment. When weather is not conducive to outdoor activities children will have extended time in the indoor gym.

Daily exercise is important for children’s overall well-being and children will receive 30 minutes of physical activity and free play in our large gym.

In addition to the daily indoor gym time, students will receive 30 minutes of physical education instruction weekly. Teachers will plan stretching exercises, relay games, obstacle courses and guided game activities to promote body awareness, collaborative movement and physical fitness.

Numerous presentations are utilized to engage the children musically such as Greeting and Name Songs, Playing Instruments, and the use of Scarves and Hoops, Finger Plays and Body Awareness Activities, Stationary Movement, Traveling Movement, Singing Games, Call and Respond Songs, Recorded Movement Activities. Children attend Music class weekly for 30 minutes.

Well stocked art shelves are available for the children to have endless opportunities to spontaneously create art with a myriad of art materials. Additionally, group art lessons will be held weekly to build upon the various cultural themes children explore throughout the year.

The class participates in science experiments weekly during circle time. The learn about making predictions, experimentation, and observing the results using the scientific method.

A French teacher will hold 30-minute instructional French lessons weekly. Children will be introduced to the French language through direct instruction, games and songs.

To build the Christian atmosphere within our school children will sing a praise song at the beginning of the day like Jesus Loves Me; sing a simple grace song like Johnny Appleseed prior to eating meals and listen to one age-appropriate bible story daily. The central theme of our spiritual education is that God is love.