Services

  Presentation of Mary Early Childhood Program follows the Montessori
philosophy as a tool for teaching young children. A hands-on approach, using
concrete materials is used to the basic skills and knowledge which are needed
to lay the solid foundation for all learning.
  The activity room environment is designed to make children feel "at home" and
to optimize independent learning. We believe that the environment has a direct
impact on the ways a child learns and develops. On a daily basis, children are
provided with the opportunity for varied activities, teacher and student-initiated,
on an independent, individual, small, or large group basis.

Everyday Living Area:
  Discovering the excitement that can be contained in the Netty gritty of every
day life is the stimulating adventure of a young Montessori student entering the
Every Day Living Area.
  In this area the child also has the opportunity to learn how to use scissors.
Tracing, cutting, using crayons, pencils and markers are also an integral part of
this area. Working with play do is always and exciting and enjoyable activity for
every child.
  As in all other areas, the child is taught and helped to develop a respect and
consideration for others. This respect and consideration for others leads to a
concern for the environment, how to care for it, keep it clean, orderly, and
attractive.

Sensorial Exercises:
  The world of the child, at times as vast as the universe, and at other times as
small as the head of a pin, is a complex environment continually explored with
his/her whole being, particularly the five senses.
  The Montessori environment provides a wide range of SENSORIAL materials
designed to help the child develop his/her ability to make judgments, to compare
and discriminate on the basis of size, shape, weight, texture, color, and
temperature.

Language:
  The various materials in the Every Day Living and SENSORIAL Areas are in
indirect preparation to the area of Language. The SENSORIAL materials,
especially those related to auditory discrimination, like the sound cylinders,
prepare the young child to recognize and understand.
  If and when a child is ready, the teacher familiarizes the child with the sound
that each letter makes, and guides the child to recognize the letter that makes
that sound. The sound is then associated to words that begin with that sound
through the use of objects and pictures.

Math:
  From the moment of birth, the child is continuously absorbing sensory
information sessions of all kinds enter his/her mind from the very nature of things
that surround him/her.
  A child's knowledge of numbers involves rote counting, recognition of numbers
and what they mean. Working with numbers 1 - 10 is stressed. Many different
and varied activities are provided for the child to concretely work with this
concept. Three is the possibility for children to work with numbers up to 100 if
and when a child is ready to do so.

Music and Movement:
  Love and appreciation of music is fostered and developed by engaging
children in large group singing of action song, holiday songs, skill building
songs, and finger plays. Musical instrument are available and provide children
with an added experience of rhythm and sound. Creative movement activities
provide children with an opportunity to develop poise, imagination, and free
expression.
  The Perpetual Motion Program is designed with young children in mind. Every
exercise or activity has several steps that work as building blocks for skills and
confidence. Simple tools are used: jump ropes, bean bags, various sized balls,
balance beams, exercise balls.   The goal is to develop gross motor skills,
improve hand-eye coordination, and teach children that exercise is healthy and
fun.

Spiritual Development:
  The spiritual development of the child is a vital aspect of his/her growth. Our
program strives to create an environment that is peaceful and joyful, an
environment where children are shown respect and are taught respect for others,
for material things, and for the environment.
  Over and beyond this, we take time every day to talk about God's presence
and workings in our lives. Following the Roman Catholic teaching, children are
taught basic prayers: The Sign of the Cross, the Hail Mary, Glory be, Our Father.
We use the story of Creation, as well as the Gospel stories as the basis for our
teaching. Religious Holidays are also noted and celebrated in various ways.

Outside Activities:
  Our program considers outside play vital to children's need for exercise and
energy release. Our schedule provides the opportunity for this on a daily basis.
It is therefore most important that every child come to school in appropriate
clothing. Comfortable play clothes that can withstand active and sometimes
"messy" play are best. It is also important that clothes be as easy as possible
for their child to manage in the bathroom without major assistance.
  Safe and appropriate footwear is required. Sneakers are the safest and best
footwear. Sandals, jelly shoes, party shoes are strongly discouraged as they
limit the possibilities of a child's activities. During the winter months, boots and
snow pants are necessary and we ask that a pair of shoes or non-slip slippers
be left at school.

Personal Belongings:
  Every child is provided with space in which to keep his/her personal
belongings. However, the children are only in the process of learning about
neatness and order, and belonging can and get mixed up at times. We therefore
suggest that the child's name be written inside his/her boots, jackets, hat, etc.
The child's name on the outside of his/her lunch box is also very helpful.
  Accidents sometimes happen. For this reason we ask parents to bring in a
complete change of clothing, including socks and underwear, to be kept at the
school. Also needed are a large bath/beach towel or thin blanket to serve as a
cover at rest time.

PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION