Maria Montessori believed the most important period in a child's education was the 3-6 year age span.   During this time, the child lays the foundation on which his/her education will be based.   The goal of a Montessori classroom is to "cultivate the child's own natural desire to learn."  (Dr. Maria Montessori).   This is accomplished by allowing each child to experience learning and develop at his/her own pace.

A Montessori classroom contains four specific areas:   Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, and Language.   Each area contains age appropriate activities that move sequentially from the concrete to the abstract.

In the Practical Life area, the activities are designed to develop the child's coordination and lengthen the attention span.   The Sensorial material allows the child to discriminate through the use of the senses.   The Math and Language areas focus on academic learning in a natural progression.   In addition, opportunities for exploration in Art, Music, Science and Social Studies are provided.

• The classroom will provide an opportunity for each child to develop natural and innate abilities at his/her own rate.
• The classroom will provide an environment where each child will develop good self-esteem, independence, and self-discipline necessary to meet any challenge.
• The classroom will provide a nurturing environment where each child can display his/her own creativity.
• The classroom will provide an environment where each child develops a love of learning that will stay with children long past the days of their formal education.