MONTESSORI PEDAGOGY
At Chia Seed Learning Center, we are committed to providing a bilingual Montessori education that celebrates the individuality of each child. Inspired by the words of Maria Montessori, we recognize the unique sensitivity of children and their natural ability to absorb knowledge from their surroundings. Our aim is to guide them on a path of self-discovery, empowering them to become self-directed learners, flexible thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and empathetic citizens.
When you step into our "primary room," you will be captivated by the peaceful and focused atmosphere. Contrary to common expectations, the children are engaged in purposeful activities, absorbed in their exploration of the carefully designed Montessori materials. We believe that when children are provided with the right tools and materials, they become active participants in their own learning journey, discovering their potential and expanding their horizons.
One of the most remarkable aspects of our classrooms is the collaborative spirit among the children. Mixed-age groups foster a natural dynamic where older children guide and assist their younger peers, creating a sense of community and camaraderie. Through this interaction, children not only develop academically but also cultivate important social and emotional skills, learning the value of empathy, cooperation, and mutual respect.
At Chia Seed Learning Center, our curriculum goes beyond traditional academic subjects. We embrace a holistic approach that integrates art, music, dance, drama, and yoga into the learning experience. We also offer instruction in French, Mandarin, and Spanish, providing children with the opportunity to explore different languages and cultures. By engaging in a wide range of activities, children discover their unique talents and develop a deep appreciation for the arts and sciences.
CURRICULUM
Through collaborative learning, children within our preschool program will learn skills for practical life, refinement of their senses, language, and mathematics, and hands-on opportunities in areas ranging from physical science to history. This unique approach allows your child to develop skills that will foster incredible success throughout their lifetime.Our individual curriculum includes:
PRACTICAL LIFE
In the practical life area, little ones at Chia Seed Learning Center experience a range of activities that promote independence and help them adapt to their social environment. These activities include caring for themselves, caring for the environment, practicing grace and courtesy, and developing physical control. The primary goal of these activities is not simply for children to master specific tasks, but rather to support their inner development of discipline, organization, independence, and self-esteem. Through engaging in precise and complete cycles of activity, children develop a sense of order, navigate the classroom independently, enhance fine and gross motor control, and cultivate the ability to concentrate. The instructional strategies and materials used include dressing frames, personal care routines, grooming activities, setting up for activities, cleaning tasks, polishing exercises, food preparation, and various movement exercises. Additionally, social interaction skills are fostered, such as introducing oneself, greeting others, asking for help, getting the attention of a teacher, practicing polite phrases like "excuse me," and learning appropriate behavior indoors.
SENSORIAL
In the Sensorial Curriculum at Chia Seed Learning Center, little ones engage with a variety of concrete manipulatives that allow them to explore and refine their senses. The curriculum focuses on developing their ability to discriminate, order, and classify sensory impressions related to length, size, color, pitch, smell, weight, texture, and more. Through the use of specially designed materials, children learn to describe and compare these sensory qualities, building their scientific vocabulary. The Sensorial Curriculum has two main goals: to educate and refine children's sense perceptions and to support the development of their intelligence by organizing and categorizing sensory experiences. The curriculum targets specific objectives, such as visual discrimination, concentration, seriation, problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and the development of various senses including auditory, tactile, and olfactory discrimination. The instructional strategies involve the use of materials like knobbed and knobless cylinders, red rods, broad stairs, pink tower, geometric solids, geometric cabinet and cards, and more. By engaging in these sensorial activities, children enhance their fine motor skills, deepen their understanding of shapes and patterns, and develop a keen appreciation for the world around them.
MATHMATICS
LANGUAGE ART
The Mathematics curriculum at Chia Seed Learning Center provides young children with a solid foundation in mathematical concepts and skills. Through a range of engaging activities and materials, children develop their understanding of quantity, number sense, and arithmetic operations. The curriculum follows a progressive approach, starting with concrete materials and gradually moving towards more abstract concepts. Teachers play a crucial role in guiding children's mathematical exploration, providing demonstrations and support as needed. The curriculum aims to foster logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a love for mathematics, empowering children to navigate and understand the world of numbers with confidence.
At Chia Seed Learning Center, the Mathematics curriculum is designed to make math accessible and enjoyable for young learners. Children engage in hands-on activities that involve counting, sorting, measuring, and problem-solving, allowing them to develop their mathematical thinking and reasoning skills. The carefully selected materials and instructional strategies support children in understanding mathematical concepts, from basic numeracy to more advanced operations. By providing a solid mathematical foundation and nurturing a positive attitude towards math, Chia Seed Learning Center prepares children for future mathematical challenges and encourages them to embrace the beauty and usefulness of mathematics in their everyday lives.
The Language Arts curriculum at Chia Seed Learning Center is designed to foster children's language development and literacy skills. Following the Montessori approach, the curriculum focuses on listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities to help children understand the meaning of abstract text and express themselves effectively. Through a combination of materials and educational design, children engage in activities that enhance vocabulary, reading comprehension, and communication skills. The curriculum recognizes the sensitive period for language development and provides a supportive environment for children to explore and excel in language arts.
In addition to the Language Arts curriculum, Chia Seed Learning Center offers a structured program for learning Chinese. Chinese language learning at the center follows a progressive approach that considers the developmental stages and needs of young learners. Children are exposed to various language activities, including listening to stories, engaging in conversations, and practicing writing and reading Chinese characters. The curriculum incorporates materials and instructional strategies that promote the acquisition of vocabulary, grammar, and cultural understanding. With the guidance of experienced teachers and the use of appropriate learning materials, children at Chia Seed Learning Center have the opportunity to develop their Chinese language skills effectively.
CULTURAL STUDIES
Geography holds a prominent place within the Montessori curriculum, and at our center, we place great importance on introducing children to the world around them. Our geography program starts with a focus on the Earth's two hemispheres and gradually delves into more specific details, such as continents and countries. To make learning engaging and interactive, we provide large, colorful wooden puzzles representing different continents. Through these puzzles, children develop their spatial awareness and problem-solving skills as they assemble the pieces to recreate the map of each continent. As they progress, they become familiar with the countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Australia. It's always a delight when a three-year-old proudly points out that their home is located in North America during a family conversation at the dinner table.
Furthermore, our Montessori community celebrates diversity and multiculturalism. We have families from various parts of the world, and we encourage them to share their unique customs, traditions, music, art, and cuisine with the classroom community. This allows the children to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, fostering appreciation for both the differences and similarities among people from around the globe. Witnessing the convergence of diverse backgrounds within our little school community fills us all with a sense of wonder and reinforces the idea that the world is vast yet interconnected.
S.T.E.M
By nature, Montessori education shares many of the hallmarks of STEM education. For instance, question-based and hands-on learning, critical thinking, open-ended exploration and applying self initiative. It is also a natural place for STEM activities occur. This is a result of encouraging students to be independent, curious and innovative. With careful planning, Montessori materials fully engage a student’s senses. The curriculum also reinforces that everything is related, showing the connection of topics across the five Montessori Learning areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Practical Life, Sensorial, and Geography/Culture.
At Montessori classroom, we offer age-appropriate activities that encompasses child’s innate curiosity about the world, including their interests in science, art, engineering, technology, and math.
We offer many daily activities that tie in directly to learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. Some learning activities your child may enjoy at our classroom can include:
· Planting a seed and observing its growth from seed to sprout to leaves and flowers
· Creating and observing rain gauges to learn about natural processes such as evaporation
· Blowing bubbles and watching how they respond to different environmental elements, such as breezes and different surface materials the bubbles may touch
· Learning about the design of things by playing with materials designed to nest into one another or connect with one another in a clear pattern
· Categorizing objects into groups that share the same trait (size, shape, color) The possibilities are endless for incorporating STEM or STEAM into child’s learning. With our teachers offering thoughtful guidance, Montessori equips child to do well in a technologically savvy future.
ARTS
PEACE MAKER
The Arts, including music, drama, and movement, are an integral part of our curriculum, holding equal importance alongside mathematics and language. We firmly believe in the power of the arts to provide children with a deep sense of culture, foster their creativity, enhance effective communication skills, and enable them to critically assess the world around them. Our parents, who understand the significance of the arts based on their own experiences, appreciate seeing their children uncover these timeless truths.
Our Art Curriculum is designed to provide a sequential program of instruction for all students, ensuring that each child has the opportunity to explore our shared artistic heritage, express their creativity through visual mediums, and understand the profound impact of art in conveying complex ideas and emotions. Through activities involving fine motor skills, color exploration, and imaginative expression, children engage in a wide range of artistic experiences. Our curriculum incorporates various art mediums, including collage, cutting, painting, drawing, and playdough, allowing children to develop their artistic abilities and expand their creative horizons.
The integration of arts into our daily classroom life is a key aspect of our approach. We begin by teaching fundamental techniques and concepts in isolation, such as pitch, rhythm, and specific artistic media, enabling each child to develop a personal repertoire of skills. These skills then become a means for children to express their own ideas, emotions, and deeper understanding of other subjects within the curriculum. Additionally, we expose children to diverse artistic styles, fostering an appreciation for the contributions of renowned and lesser-known artists alike. Through our Arts Curriculum, we aim to introduce children to the concept of artistic expression, develop essential artistic techniques, refine motor control, nurture aesthetic appreciation, enhance auditory discrimination, and cultivate a sense of rhythm.
The character and peace education aspect of the Montessori curriculum may not have tangible materials, but its influence is deeply woven into the fabric of the learning environment. It starts with the practical life activities, where children learn to care for themselves and their surroundings, fostering a sense of responsibility and respect. Grace and courtesy exercises explicitly teach social skills, nurturing a harmonious classroom atmosphere. The sensorial, mathematics, and language materials enhance children's understanding of the world and their ability to communicate effectively within their community. Cultural studies, science, and arts components provide a global perspective, encouraging children to see the world as interconnected and promoting a sense of unity. Together, these elements create a curriculum that not only cultivates academic knowledge but also nurtures good character, empathy, and a peaceful mindset.