Early Childhood Program
Our early childhood program prepares students from preschool to kindergarten ages 3-6.
Early Childhood Program
Half Day
8:30-11:30am
Our half-day early childhood program is for children 3-6 years old. Our Montessori curriculum focuses on math and language basics and weaves science, art, social studies, movement, and music throughout.
The half-day program is perfect for students who are just starting school and getting used to the routine.
Montessori is unique by design because it is customizable to the child's development rather than what a child "should be" learning at a given age. The curriculum is moved up or slowed down to meet the natural pace of your little one, right where they are.
Early Childhood Program
Full Day
8:30-3:30pm
The Full Day Program is ideal for the student who is finished taking naps and ready for a longer social and academic day at school.
What We Study!
Practical Life
Practical life activities include everything from pouring dry materials to learning how to fold napkins, hammer, sew, and wash a baby doll.
All of these activities are, first and foremost, fun! However, these activities also have indirect lessons like learning routines, increasing concentration, and preparation for holding a pencil (to name a few!).
Education for the Senses
The sensorial area of the classroom is home to many beautiful Montessori materials! These lessons are wonderful for preparing students for math and geometry and focusing on strengthening the child's senses; visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory.
Math
Students are eager to touch and explore the beautiful Montessori math materials. Teachers provide custom lessons meeting each child precisely where they are in their development.
As in all classroom areas, the focus is for lessons to scaffold from concrete to abstract. Children are set up for a lifetime of mathematic success when they learn about numbers as physical quantities in conjunction with written symbols.
Children are offered beginning lessons of zero to ten concepts and can leave the program understanding how to multiply into the 1000's.
Language
Students begin the language curriculum by working with puzzles, sequencing, playing I-Spy, and learning the classroom's language.
Once students are ready, the alphabet is introduced five letters at a time. Upon completing letter-sound mastery, students begin to read three-letter phonetic words, which is the foundation for blending four-letter words and the introduction of silent "e."
We offer custom lessons and can simplify or build the language sequence depending upon each student's needs.
Social Studies
The Social Studies curriculum begins with how the planet was formed and a deep dive study into our planet's landforms. Children learn about the water cycle and get hands-on exploring models of volcanoes, lakes, islands, bays, and capes.
Once students have a greater understanding of continental geography, we take a deeper dive into the study of each continent's unique cultural, animal, and traditional inhabitants. We learn songs in different languages, taste foods, and read books from all over the world.
Our hope is for children to understand that as humans, we have more commonalities than differences, and our commonalities are what bring us together to make the world a better place.
Science
Our science curriculum includes the physical science of magnetism, investigation, and hypothesis to zoology and botany.
Students begin with a study of living and non-living things. Naming the characteristics of living things. We discuss the importance and significance of respecting all living things. Even the tiniest ant or spider deserves to live their lives and carry out their task.
Students will also explore zoology, including invertebrates and vertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Art
Art is an integral piece of bringing the entire scope and sequence of the classroom together.
Students are introduced to various art lessons and mediums, from an artist study to special art projects for each academic area to seasonal art projects. The sky is the limit, and there is sure to be something interesting for every student.
Children work with chalk, paint, pencils, markers, scissors, glue, and create fish prints, geography maps, and mosaics, to name a few mediums.
What our school days look like!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Maria Montessori developed her style of education over 100 years ago. Just as Montessori knew 100 years ago, and studies and research from Harvard still prove today that the first six years of a child's life are the most critical building blocks for their foundation and their continued success in life. Thriving Day Academy believes every child is unique and understands that what they learn during their time with us is pivotal to their future success.
The best way to see the difference is to visit our beautiful school. Our school is furnished with curated Montessori learning materials that excite and invite children to learn.
From the pink tower, the moveable alphabet, and the golden beads to the living specimens for our zoology studies, you will feel like you've walked into an interactive kids museum when you enter our school.
A mixed-age classroom has many benefits.
Mirrors the real world
Mixed-age classrooms mirror the way our society actually works. We all learn at different paces and work with people of varying ages and different sets of knowledge and skills. We learn from people who know more than us and solidify our learning by teaching others.
Freedom within limits is the way that order is maintained in a Montessori environment. Children have the choice to choose what they want to work on as long as they've had a lesson on how to use the material and they are respecting the ground rules of the classroom environment.
Typical Ground Rules usually include:
Respect for all living things -
All living things deserve our respect. We work hard to teach children that even the smallest ant that makes it into the classroom has the right to be moved back outside to where it belongs. Respect for all living things is taught and reinforced through our zoology and social studies lessons.
Inside Voices -
Children are encouraged to use inside voices, so they don't interrupt the other children who are working.
Walking Feet -
There are many learning materials in the classroom, and children are encouraged to use walking feet in the classroom as it is a busy place, and running could be hazardous. (Although we have a large movement space where running and getting your wiggles out is also encouraged!)
Putting away work when finished -
In a classroom full of materials, children are encouraged to put their work away before moving to something new to foster their sense of order and self-discipline.
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Thriving Day Academy believes children should have an environment set up to facilitate a child's natural sense of wonder and curiosity.
