Montessori Preschool

At Para Hills West Montessori Preschool we cater for children 3 - 5 years old.   We operate 2 sessions per day during the school term.

Session Times are :  9:00 am - 11:55 am and 12:35 am - 3:30 pm

Montessori Preschool children pursue the same basic activities covered in any classroom, but are taught in a way that does not pressure them into learning, yet encourages the maximum response.

Children choose from a wide range of self-educating activities to assist this process, working with each for as long as their individual attention spans dictate to ensure success. They are guided in the classroom in their learning, number work and letter work, but are free to work without too much adult interference. The result is a tremendous gain for the child in confidence and independence.

The "Sensitive Period" is the period between the years of three & six that Dr Montessori describes as a vital time for developing Language, Co-ordination, Social Skills and the Senses.

We cover a wide range of subjects with the children: reading and writing, arithmetic, nature, history, geography, movement and music, singing, art, and craft. Older children will also be taught science, geometry and English grammar.

In all these activities they learn though specially designed materials which will stimulate their senses and imagination. Children learn best when they are interested.

At the Montessori Preschool

• We believe in the sacredness of all children. 

• We believe that the goal of an early childhood educator is not to fill the child with facts, but rather to cultivate his or her natural desire to learn

• We believe in sensitive periods, periods of intense fascination for learning a particular skill. It is easier for a child to learn a particular skill during a corresponding sensitive period than at any other time in his or her life.

• We allow the child the freedom to select individual activities, which correspond with his own particular interests.

• We believe in the importance of each child working individually with the director so they can progress as slowly or as quickly as they need to.

• We believe that children learn best by practical experiences. Our program and the environment will reflect a "hands on" approach to learning.

• Our program will reflect the cultural diversity in our community and encourage respect for, and acceptance of all people

Japanese
 

Mrs. Mary Simmonds, the language teacher for the Para Hills West Primary School, conducts Japanese class for our pre-school students. Children learn through games, songs and movement.     As well as learning the language, the children are learning about a different culture.
 

Time: Wednesday from 3:10 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

For more information please telephone the Pre-school to organise an appointment to view our classroom.