West Side Campus Information
Primary: Preschool through Kindergarten 3-6 Years
In the Children’s Houses, our programs are based on the philosophy that young children flourish with gentle guidance and the opportunity to work at their own pace.
Dr. Montessori recognized that children have sensitive periods during which certain and critical information for intellectual development is literally “absorbed” by them while growing. This is the time to fill their experiences with rich language and tactile lessons.
There are five distinct areas that allow the children to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually while developing character as well as academic interests.
Practical Life
The activities in this area make up the foundation of the program. Practical Life skills encourage the development of a sense of order and logical thinking, as well as attention to detail, concentration, and the coordination of movement leading to self-control and independence, enabling the child to adapt to the environment.
Sensorial
Specialized Montessori materials are designed to order, relate, classify, explore, and realize impressions that the child has already formed. The materials help the child experience differentiations within the five senses and form the groundwork for future academic learning.
Mathematics
Dr. Maria Montessori designed “hands-on” materials to help the child investigate, calculate, measure, imagine, and create. Guided manipulation of the mathematics materials eventually leads the child from concrete experience through to abstract thought.
Language
Language is woven into all parts of the curriculum. It begins with conversation, then explores sounds and their representative letters, and then on to the blending of sounds which lead to reading, writing and the function of words.
Cultural
This area of exploration includes world geography, physical science, zoology, biology, botany, history, art, music studies, and Spanish language.
The Montessori Philosophy encourages children to develop their observation skills through activities that use the five senses, kinetic movement, spatial refinement, small and gross motor skill coordination, and concrete knowledge that leads to later abstraction.
The 2015 Arizona School Tax Credit lets your donation go directly to a public school of your choice! A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax liability. Any Arizona taxpayer may contribute, regardless of whether your child is attending school.
To meet the needs of working parents, we offer a before- and after-school program designed for children 18 months–12 years. The older children can sign up for the many special classes offered after school such as drama, art classes, and music lessons.