Welcome to P&J
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn”
- Maria Montessori
P&J Montessori Kindergarten is an authentic Montessori school for children aged 2.5 years to 6 years. Our programme is lead by AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) trained educators. The environment is calm, beautiful and well-ordered with a full suite of Montessori materials. Children are free to choose and work on activities at their own pace.
Features of P&J Montessori Kindergarten
Mixed aged group
Uninterrupted 3 hour work cycle
AMI trained lead teacher
Full complement of Montessori materials: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math & Culture
An indoors that is spacious, aesthetically pleasing, airy and filled with light
An outdoors with a variety practical life activities
Philosophy of freedom within discipline
Respect for the child - follow the child’s lead
Nurturing of child’s independence and concentration
Practical Life.
The Practical Life activities are the basic activities that help us maintain our environment and ourselves. Education of movement is what Practical Life activities are all about.
Sensorial.
The senses of the child are refined and educated through a series of sensorial activities where each activity isolates and refines a particular sense.
Culture.
Culture activities include Geography, History, Botany, Zoology and Science. These introduce the child to the wonders and mysteries of the world around him/her.
Language.
Spoken language is offered to the child through conversations and stories. The child learns to read through reading phonetic words first, then sight words. Written language is offered when the child has a good pencil grip, typically around 4 years of age.
Chinese.
Using an immersion programme, Mandarin is introduced through conversation, stories and songs throughout the day. Children have the freedom to explore the language for as long as they like. For children who are less inclined towards the language, interest is stoked through linking the language to the child’s individual interests, events that the child relates to and games. Through the myriad of opportunities provided, the child is exposed having lots of conversations in Mandarin. When the hand is ready for writing, he/she is then introduced to stroke order of Chinese characters.
Mathematics.
The exercises of the sensorial activities prepares the child for Mathematics. At a young age the child gains a sensorial understanding of quantities and dimensions through concrete materials before moving into the abstract concept of numbers. The Montessori approach scaffolds the learning to help the child move from the concrete to the abstract, laying a sound foundation in developing a Mathematical mind.