Philosophy & Curriculum
The Montessori method of education is a philosophical approach which creates an enriched learning environment designed for children to explore while providing curriculum to challenge intellectual, physical, and social development. Cultivating an environment to support each child’s individual needs, children are free to develop independence, self-regulation and empowerment through positive teaching techniques.
Research has shown the number one predictor for academic success is social-emotional development. As the brain is only malleable before the age of six, learning foundational social-emotional skills, such as emotional management, self-regulation and negotiating social conflicts, are the cornerstones for success in school and in life. Using methods of the Reggio Emilia approach, which is based on teacher-child relationships, developing social-emotional skills results in an increase in focus and attention span, positive social interactions, and inherently emphasizes a child’s natural curiosity to learn.
Children’s Montessori Center does not discriminate in providing enrollment or curriculum to children and their families on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, gender identity/expression, age, sexual orientation, disabilities, marital or family status, genetic formation, or any other classification protected by law. CMC accommodates children of all backgrounds and needs, including those with unique challenges when the needs of the child can be met appropriately within our school’s environment.
Emergent Curriculum
Inspired by multiple educational philosophies, emergent curriculum is a play-based, child-centered curriculum emerging from children’s natural interests. As children explore their environment and become interested in a specific topic, curriculum is developed to revolve around this topic to include each developmental area, including mathematics, science, art, literacy, dramatic play, and social and physical development. Through observation and discussion, long term, project-based curriculum may be created to answer children’s own questions and expand their knowledge on the subject of interest.
An example inspired by a child’s weekend trip to the grocer, Preschool children had an idea to create a Farmer’s Market in their classroom. Receiving supplies for the project, the children organized the area (Social), created pictures to hang (Art), and drew an Open/Closed sign (Literacy) before opening the market for business (Dramatic Play). As their play developed, the children realized they needed a clock to know when the market was open and closed. Taking the children’s cue, teachers offered a clock for the children to observe as they drew the numbers (Mathematics) and excitedly added their creation to their play.
Family Communication
As we dedicate ourselves to providing high-quality care, families will always be the primary caregiver for a child. In this spirit, families are an essential component to provide the best possible care for our children, and we strive to ensure communication with families is timely, efficient and open-ended. As such, families are welcome to visit our program unannounced at any time their child is in attendance.
Our most effective form of communication is between families and teachers at drop off and pick up times. While conversations must be brief for teachers to properly supervise classrooms, updates on a child’s day at school or home life can be communicated quickly and efficiently. If a longer conversation is needed, please contact the director and we may schedule a time for families to speak with teachers or the director over the phone.
Phone calls are effective when communicating timely information between families and CMC. Whether asking a question, updating changes to a child’s schedule, or for any other reason, families are always welcome to call the office at 978-224-9100. Teachers or the director will also contact families by phone to communicate timely information, such as a sick child who needs to be taken home, a potential injury or questions pertaining to sensitive information. In case of an emergency, a family member or approved caregiver must always be available by phone. To update contact information, please contact the director.
To provide families with their child’s individual needs, Toddler room families will receive information regarding meals, diapering and sleep times at the end of each day. Any information regarding a change in routines at home will also be helpful at drop off for teachers to prepare for children’s daily needs. While Preschool and Kindergarten families will receive daily updates at pick up, written information will not be distributed. If families would like to be updated about any specific information at the end of the day, please feel free to consult with teachers.
CMC also uses email to communicate to families and our community with updates, announcements and reminders. Non-urgent questions and communications are always welcomed through email at info@childrensmontesorri.org.