Young Preschool
Journey to Independence
2 ½ - 3 years
Country Hills Montessori offers a class for children between the ages of 2 ½ to 3 years. These children benefit from an early introduction to Montessori before entering the mixed-age Preschool and Kindergarten classroom.
Strong focus is placed on taking care of self (fostering independence), buttoning, folding, washing, etc… Language is introduced (sand paper letters and phonics), math is introduced pre-math, one to one correspondence, numbers one to ten, shapes, geometric shapes, and numerical rods. Once the teacher gives a lesson, children have the choice to choose independent work with the activity or if needed the work will be re-presented to the child.
Daily Schedule
The daily schedule for the Young Preschool program includes circle time, snack time, Montessori work time, potty training time, and outdoor time.
The Young Preschool class provides an introduction to all areas of a Montessori environment:
- Practical Life
- Sensorial
- Language
- Geography
- Science
- Math
- Art
An Environment Conducive to Learning
Where so many early childhood programs are chaotic and overwhelming, parents are often surprised to see the peaceful tone of our young preschool classroom. The calm atmosphere and lack of distraction helps her to develop impulse control and concentration, planting the seeds for learning in this classroom and beyond.
Not a Classroom, A Community
Our students grow together into a close-knit, caring community. When children work, learn and grow together, they learn much more than any of them could learn alone!
Help Me to Do it Myself
Your child has a natural drive to be independent which we encourage by creating an environment where everything is just the right size for her to do things on her own. Child sized tools that fit her tiny hands allow her to prepare a snack and serve it to friends. A miniature broom empowers her to clean up on her own. She is taught the skills of self-care and toilet training. Your child learns a set of concrete life skills and self-confidence – but, more importantly, develops the belief that she can choose to make a genuine impact on her world.
“Country Hills Montessori is such an amazing school. Ms. Tanya and her staff are absolutely phenomenal at what they do. My son had a speech delay, and the patience, support, and positive affirmation that he received was great. He is thriving, and language is his favorite subject in school now. Country Hills provided education in various ways, and they have many different in school field trips that are creative and educational. The safety and health that Country Hills Montessori provides is wonderful and proficient. There are sinks in the classroom which I appreciate, because the children are taught the importance of good hygiene. They are also responsible for cleaning up after themselves, which teaches them organization skills as well. I appreciate the safety and security that the school has for the students and parents. The use of the brightwheel app allows the staff to communicate with parents immediately, and send pictures of your child to you throughout the day with your permission. It helps ease any anxiety or uncertainty that a parent may have. I also appreciate how Country Hills have an on campus playground, splash pad, and garden. Country Hills Montessori checked so many boxes that I was looking for in a school, and so much more. I am so grateful for the staff and the school. It is truly the best school that I know of, and I highly recommend it to any parent that wants their child to grow, learn, and develop in a very safe environment.”
- Parent / Guardian
A Beautiful Environment
Our bright and sunny young preschool classroom is especially designed for your child between the ages of 30 and 36 months. It is a world scaled down to your child’s size. Here, your child paints, cooks, waters the garden, sings songs with friends and work with materials that develop fine and gross motor coordination.
Absorbing Language
We surround your child with rich and stimulating conversation to support this once-in-a-lifetime period of rapid language development. Your child, trying to blow bubbles, might be encouraged with “Blow! Can you make the air move just like the wind?” Your child’s mind effortlessly absorbs the new vocabulary, which plants the seeds for reading, writing and self-expression in the future.
A Joyful Experience
Maria Montessori once said, “One test of the correctness of the educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” Take a peek into our Young Preschool classroom and you will see children who are happy, engaged and deeply connected to their friends and teachers. As a result, your child develops a deep affinity for school and a true love-for-learning.
Ready to Move Up
Sometime between the ages of 2 ½ to 3 years of age, your child’s language skills and self-expression will develop rapidly; he will express a growing confidence in independence and a keen interest in broader concepts; he will want to know what lies ahead, outside of the Young Preschool Classroom. At this point, he is ready to move up to the Preschool & Kindergarten, for children from the ages of 3 to 6.