The Montessori Casa dei Bambini Program for Ages 3 - 5
The goals of the International Montessori School (IMS) Casa dei Bambini are to foster independence and to support children in moving toward a mastery of self and the environment. The classrooms are prepared Montessori environments designed to encourage children to discover the world. Interest-based activities encourage children to develop a love of learning and trust in their own ability to find the answers to their questions.
The multi-age classroom creates an environment similar to a family, wherein each child has the chance to be "the youngest" following with rapt attention what the older children are doing; the "middle child" who knows what should be done and is an emerging master of some things; and "the oldest" who gains confidence and knowledge with each opportunity to use their knowledge in a special way with a younger child. While the younger child learns from the older child, the older child learns what they don't quite understand themselves and in the process understands more deeply. The older child is pushed by the younger child's interest into going farther with the curriculum himself simply to stay one step ahead of the younger child! This creates a lovely, natural environment in which the child is developing at his or her own pace, but with inherent, environmentally created natural incentives for academic and personal growth.
Other social behaviors that flourish in the Casa dei Bambini program are self-confidence and self respect with a stronge internal sense of responsibility for one’s own behavior, respect for others and awareness of their needs, and care of the environment. With constant practice in the environment, the child learns strong problem-solving skills which take into account all of these factors.
Mathematics
Mathematics materials provide a very logical progression from simple and concrete to complex and conceptual. The child learns addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions using specific equipment. The benefit of this approach is quickly seen, when children of five fundamentally understand concepts not traditionally introduced until much later, and the foundations for future learning are formed.
Science & Cultural Extensions
Art, music, and geography are integrated into the whole language experience, in both English and Putonghua. Living plants, animals, and hands–on materials are part of the classroom, providing children with a practical introduction to botany, zoology, geology, basic chemistry, and other sciences, and allowing them to develop skills in scientific observation and comparison. This wonderful fact base is more fully explored in the Montessori Primary Years program, where the discovery and understanding of the whys and hows of the workings of the universe, and all what it contains, begins.
Language Activities
This is a language-rich environment, in both English and Putonghua. Through a variety of activities and materials, children become familiar with sounds and symbols and begin the process of writing, which leads naturally to reading. A second language is best introduced at this age, when children are physically, emotionally, and cognitively most receptive to learn.
Practical Life
Children acquire many daily living skills: preparing food, fastening clothes, and caring for their environment. These activities help children extend their powers of concentration and observation, and develop coordinated movement, including the fine motor skills required for later writing.
Sensorial Activities
Through interaction with sensorial materials that isolate one quality, such as color or shape, children experience the world through their senses in a way that establishes the physical and mental foundation for further learning. Social Activities In a Montessori classroom, children experience the balance between the freedom of the individual and the concerns of the group. The rules of the classroom and the concerns of the group become part of the decision making process for this developing child.
Physical Education
Our Casa dei Bambini program is different from a traditional, group-oriented kindergarten in that children are free to choose activities and move about the room. Through natural physical activity, children expend energy and develop large and small muscle coordination. Gym time is provided twice a week in the indoor playarea provided for use by the children. After lunch, children in the extended day program may play in the indoor or outdoor play areas. Gross motor skills in Hong Kong are important considerations, and children are encouraged to play outdoors at home after school, and participate in other extracurricular sport activities. IMS offers after school judo and gymnastics classes for parent convenience.
Celebrations and Traditions
Casa dei Bambini program celebrations develop a sense of community. Divali, Channukah, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and other major holidays offer opportunities to explore differences in cultures and create shared traditions. For instance, at American Thanksgiving, children share a potluck feast in the classroom. This harvest festival provides children the opportunity to investigate similar festivals throughout the world. In addition, the children put on a play each year.
Food
Lunch time is an important time for the extended day child. The lunchbox is the responsibility of the child, and provides opportunities for the child to bring part of home to school each day. Healthy snacks and water are also provided by the school.
Conferences
Conferences to discuss each child’s development are held twice a year. Teachers communicate frequently with parents through e-mail, notes, phone calls, and regular IMS communication channels.