Athena Montessori Academy

free the child's potential

Montessori Programs

Over eighty years of experience have proven Dr. Montessori’s theory that a young child can learn to read, write and calculate in the same natural way that he or she learns to walk and talk, by absorbing information from the environment like a sponge. Based on her extensive observations, Dr. Montessori identified the time from birth to six years as the “Absorbent Mind” period. She felt that the goal of early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate the child’s own natural desire to learn. This process is directed by the Montessori teachers, called “guides”, whose job it is to direct the work of the child and model appropriate behavior. Materials in the prepared environment are designed to help the child to focus his or her attention through purposeful activity so as to develop consciousness, will and self-direction. The traditional Montessori curriculum includes study in the areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Geography. At Athena, we also incorporate Art and Art History, Music, Organic Gardening, Foreign Languages and Physical Education for all students.

Primary Program (8:30-12:30pm half day or 8:30-3:00pm full day)

(ages three to six years) allows each child to experience the excitement of learning by his or her own choice and to perfect his or her natural tools for learning. The Montessori-trained guides direct the child and give instruction in the materials, while modeling excellent manners, interpersonal communication, problem solving and mediation skills.

Toddler/Pre Primary Program (8:30-12:30pm half day or 8:30-3:00pm full day)

Many Montessori schools have initiated toddler classes for children 24 months to three years. We call this program Pre-Primary. The Pre-Primary classroom is simpler and slower paced than the classroom for three to six-year olds. Tables and chairs are smaller and the teacher-child ratio is lower.

However, this program is neither a watered down version of the three to six program, nor is it an academic preparation for subsequent years of Montessori education. The Pre-Primary program offers very young children a unique year of self development in a tender atmosphere of special understanding, respect and support.

Of fundamental importance is fostering the independence of each child from his or her primary caretaker, usually the mother or father. The Montessori Pre-Primary program protects this fragile stage of development by creating a very gentle and slow parting of each adult-child couple. As the toddlers gradually become comfortable in their new environment they learn to trust the teachers and the other children around them.

Potty training and verbal development is a central part of the Pre-Primary curriculum. We follow techniques taught by T. Barry Brazleton for potty training and work closely with parents to achieve goals. We model and teach appropriate ways to set boundaries and ask for help with words, rather than through physical means. We begin the process of teaching identification of emotions and practice conflict resolution skills.

Simple sensorial activities in the classroom respond to the toddlers’ urge to use all their senses—indeed their whole bodies—to explore everything around them.

The Pre-Primary program also appropriately accommodates the very young child’s sensitive period for language by offering creative and intriguing concepts to expand their growing vocabularies. Joining conversations, listening to stories, classifying objects and learning songs and poems all nurture their budding language skills. To help smooth their initial social interactions, the toddlers also learn to use words for the feelings they experience in themselves and others.

Many of the activities in the Pre-Primary program highlight the self-help skills that lead to independence. Children are gently urged to hang up their own coats and aprons and to problem-solve rather than say, “I can’t”. Since this is an age of very strong imitation the teachers constantly model appropriate social skills, good manners and consideration of others.

Through song, dance and freedom of choice, the toddlers have access to a variety of large muscle activities that offer them opportunities to jump, climb, balance, crawl or skip. These exercises, as well as creative art activities, are offered for each child to choose. This freedom in a safe space is crucial to the Pre-Primary program. However, it is always tempered by two important limits that will be beneficial for a lifetime—respect for others and respect for the environment.

Athena Montessori Academy also provides gymnastics lessons (www.jumpgymnastics.com) for every toddler, once a week during their P.E. class, in order to aid in the development of their core strength, body awareness, and flexibility.

Creative Day Program

We have created a third program in the afternoons to serve those Full Day students who are no longer napping in the Nap Room and who are not quite ready for the Extended Montessori Day in the classroom. The teachers determine which children go to Creative Day, throughout the year and their tenure at Athena, and they move through the three programs (Nap, Creative Day and Extended Day/Zen Time) based on individual need, readiness and development. In the Creative Day Program, two teachers lead Circle time, and a structured art or gardening activity. There is also time for individual work with manipulatives, blocks and puzzles. The children are escorted back to their respective classrooms before pick-up time.

After School Program (3:00-6:00pm during school year or 3:00-5:30pm during summer camp)

To accommodate our working families, we provide an engaging program which provides diverse opportunities for indoor and outdoor creative play and continued exploration. It is during the hours of the After School program that the Extra Curricular classes are offered separately in the Community Resource Center auditorium.

The After School Program is available for Athena students only.