|
 For the youngest children, Stepping Stones provides a wonderful first experience of school.
Stepping Stones builds the foundation for future learning and mastery using The Montessori Method. Your child will receive lots of attention with only eight (8) children in each class. Through a carefully structured phase-in process, we minimize any separation anxiety for both children and their parents. The consequence: children develop a positive, affirming attitude about school. Stepping Stones develops aspects of learning needed to foster the independence and curiosity emblematic of a Montessori child. One such aspect is the child’s ability to exercise self-control and negotiate her surroundings -- in Montessori we call this Practical Life. Montessori also emphasizes that children learn through their sensory experiences (they see, hear and feel the sound and shape of letters to build a foundation for reading and writing; they work on counting objects as a prelude to math) – in Montessori we call this Sensorial.
In the Stepping Stones classroom, much time is spent on Practical Life and Sensorial. Through carefully designed activities, and using special Montessori materials and processes, children quickly build a strong developmental foundation both academically and socially. Stepping Stones AM vs PM Our morning (AM) Stepping Stones class meets for 2 hours. The afternoon (PM) Stepping Stones class meets for 2-1/2 hours Except for the amount of class time, the classroom experience is identical. You may want to consider the PM Stepping Stones session, if you believe the additional time in school will benefit your child, and if it meets your schedule. Afternoon students benefit from a relaxed morning schedule, and parents find it convenient to have the afternoons available for errands, especially at businesses that don't open until 10 a.m. Even with school ending at 2:15 p.m., there's still plenty of time for an afternoon nap! Stepping Stones Phase-inParents are enthusiastic about our deliberate and gentle "no-pressure" phase-in for the youngest children.  Phase I
In the first week of school, we start with teacher home visits so that each child can get to know the teacher in a familiar environment.
Phase II
Following home visits, for several days parents accompany children in the classroom for less than an hour in groups of four or fewer. Phase III
By the end of September, the entire class of eight children meets for 75 minutes. Phase IV
By mid-October, classes meet for the full 2 hours (AM) or 2-1/2 hours (PM), three days a week (Monday-Wednesday), and keep that schedule until November. Phase V
From the first full week of November, classes meet four days a week (Monday-Thursday) until winter break in December. Phase VI
From January until the end of the school year, classes meet Monday to Friday.
Mid-Year EnrollmentWe will admit Stepping Stones children mid-year, space available. For example, for a child who turns 2-1/2 in January, we might start an individual phase-in the first week of January and move to five days per week in February. The child will be 3 by next September and then enter our Pre-Primary program.
|
