Programs

“If houses for children do not exist then let us build them.” - Maria Montessori

We provide early childhood programs in home environment which consist of the following areas:

Practical Life
Practical life is fundamental to Montessori classroom. These exercises help the child to develop fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye co-ordination, independence, social awareness, self-esteem, concentration and logical thinking. They also satisfy the child's need for order and indirectly prepare the child for reading, writing or mathematics, laying solid foundations on which to build for the future. Dressing and undressing, cloth washing, hand washing, shoe polishing, folding, ironing, scrubbing table, putting on apron/folding apron, turning out sleeves/hanging coats, and poring, are all examples of practical life exercises.

Sensorimotor
In the Montessori classroom, sensorial materials play an important role. They are designed to sharpen the senses of the young child, and help her distinguish, categorize, and relate new information to what she already knows.

Each of the sensorial materials isolates one quality, such as: color, weight, shape, texture, size, sound and smell. Isolation of difficulty helps the child to understand the direct aim of the material. Child focuses his or her attention on the one quality that varies from piece to piece within the material. Red rods for example, are all the same color, texture, and shape. They only differ in length.

Each activity also has an indirect aim which has to do with future learning. It will prepare the child for some other concept, for example, the pink tower, brown stair and cylinder blocks, all are constructed in sets of ten pieces. This helps prepare the child for math and the base ten systems.

Language
A child's language is crucial for all areas of his or her development. Dr. Montessori believed that the child's language needed to be constantly supported from entry into nursery. The Montessori materials lay solid foundations for reading, writing, increased vocabulary and listening skills. The materials of Practical Life and Sensorial prepare the child for the use of the language materials. The phonic approach to reading and writing is used initially. Through the non-competitive and individual approach the child gains a real enthusiasm for language in all its forms.

Spanish

Hola!

Learning a second language at EMCH is an exciting experience for the children. Our assistant is a native Spanish speaker who interacts with them in Spanish. She also conducts formal lessons once a week where the children learn numbers, days of the week, colors and other short phrases in Spanish. In addition, they will also learn to sing and practice Latin dance.

Mathematics
We use concrete materials to introduce mathematics. Math activities include Golden Beads to introduce the decimal system, the Spindle Box for counting, Sandpaper Numerals, Numerals and Counters, the Hundred Board and Bead Chains. Through these activities children learn by discovery and develop positive feeling for the world of numbers. They touch, handle, count, compare and put in order these objects which lead to abstract operations like decimal system, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Geography
Geography is an interesting and important part of our program. Children learn about the world by using wooden puzzle maps, globe and word atlas. By using puzzle as a guide they cut, paste and paint continents and various countries of the world.

Science and Nature
The Science and Nature program is designed not only to help children discover facts, but to develop their sense of wonder about the world. Activities include Land and Water Forms, Living or Non-Living, Sink or Float, Magnetic or Non-Magnetic, the Structure of the Earth and Botany. They go on nature walk to research natural objects like seeds, leaves, flowers and cones.

Art
We have a variety of art and creative activities for the children which we change frequently. Collage and glue, cutting with scissors, hole punching, markers, matching activities with fine art prints, crayons, paint and playdough activities are all part of the Art program. They not only develop fine motor skills but also promote esthetic sense.

Grace and Courtsey
Through this area of curriculum children learn to take care of themselves, respect others and respect the environment. Grace and Courtesy curriculum makes children aware of using polite and respectful language, showing consideration to others, properly introducing oneself, good table manners, carrying things carefully, returning them to their place so others may use them, moving gracefully and carefully.

Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. At EMCH, the children learn animal yoga poses every day, as well as the ability to breathe deeply. Breathing exercises are known to be a very popular stress reliever. Yoga helps the children to become flexible, peaceful and coordinated.

Dance
Daily at EMCH, the children take part in freestyle dancing, incorporating belly dance moves and other international styles. The dancing is good exercise and strengthens endurance, coordination, rhythm as well as increases happiness.