Primary
A Love for Learning
(3 – 6 years)
The Primary Program is truly a gift to your child. Designed for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years, it is an opportunity to nurture his individual development within the context of a group setting. The result? Self-confidence, joy and a lifelong love-for-learning.
It’s a Mixed Age Classroom
Because the curriculum is individualized, your child can work at his or her own pace while participating in a mixed age classroom community. Your younger child learns by observing the behavior and activities of the older children. Your older child gains self-confidence, leadership skills and responsibility by setting an example for her younger friends.
The Gift of Choice
Your child will be introduced to a broad range of concepts and activities in individual and small group lessons. The real learning, however, occurs through independent activity by choosing to explore it, repeat it and perfect it.
A Deep Connection Between Teacher and Child
Our AMS-certified teachers choose this career because of their love for children and dedication to Montessori. Their depth of training and knowledge is amplified by the joyful and deep relationship they develop with your child throughout the three-year journey together.
Child Centered (Not Teacher Centered)
Unlike conventional classrooms, where all children are expected to pay close attention to the teacher, our program does the opposite – the teacher is trained to closely observe your child’s interests, tendencies and needs. You won’t see the teacher standing at the front of the classroom at a chalkboard, but rather down at your child’s level, engaged with her or a small group.
Beautiful Hands-On Materials Help Your Child Learn
The scientifically designed Montessori materials help your child learn through hands-on use and exploration. Through continued use, he develops as a concrete understanding of abstract concepts, such as mathematics, providing a solid foundation for learning into the future.
Group Activities and Play
While most of the day is spent in self-directed work, there are also times for group activity and play. The teacher may gather a group for songs or to tell stories about a cultural, scientific or historical theme of interest. Ample time is also given to run, dig, explore and play with friends outdoors.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Instead of a top down curriculum based upon age, the teacher is trained to respect your child’s unique potential and connects him with the lesson best suited at that precise moment of development. Your child will be challenged according to her ability, not to a generic standard.
Lovingly-Prepared Environments
The teacher works to perfect the environment – in it, your child works to perfect him or herself. Our teachers put tremendous care and attention to detail into the classroom with low shelves, beautiful artwork, books and cultural items of interest to pique your child’s interest and stimulate his senses. The children respond by developing a sense of classroom ownership and a drive to care for it, further deepening the bonds of the community and their quest to learn.
Essential Skills for a Successful Life
The Primary classroom is designed to help your child become his best self. Through “grace and courtesy” activities, we teach your child how to solve conflicts, how to act politely in social situations and how to be kind and helpful to friends.
Kindergarten Included
Montessori is a continuum of education that allows your child to build upon experiences each year. Your child will stay in the Primary classroom for 3 years, including the traditional “kindergarten year” – when the seeds of learning come to fruition. Reading and writing come to life from sounds and symbols. She is introduced to numbers and the decimal system. She learns about geometric figures and the political countries of our world. She leaves the program with a strong set of academic skills; but, far more importantly, with the attitude that learning is fun, exciting and boundless. At this point, she is ready to move up to the
Elementary
Program, for children from the ages of 6 to 12.
I simply do not have enough words to express how much we love Joliet Montessori School. Before attending JMS, our son attended a nearby conventional preschool for 3 years. He is a shy child and strongly disliked having to go to school. He also complained about being bored and didn’t like the day work or homework he was given. My husband and I just assumed it was normal – that most kids don’t like school – and kept him there because it was comfortable and convenient to get to.
We found JMS totally on accident and had no idea what Montessori was or what it meant. We researched it and we were blown away by the methods and practices – so much so that we quickly scheduled a tour at JMS. That tour blew us away and we immediately knew that that was where our son would thrive – that the methods used to teach would challenge him in ways his prior school did not. The materials in a Montessori school are presented to children in ways that make them love to learn. And they have done just that for our boy.
He adjusted so quickly and has learned things as a Kindergartner that I am pretty sure I didn’t learn until 6th or 7th grade, which shocks me time and time again. He is now in his second year at JMS and he absolutely loves it there! He never complains about having to go to school now and, as a matter of fact, he hates that he doesn’t get to go to school on the weekends. He never complains that he’s bored. In fact, he gets so excited to tell us about his day and the lesson he just started or finished or what he can’t wait to do next.
He loves his teachers and friends and squeals when we drive by his school. It’s so amazing to see how much our very shy boy has grown during his time at JMS – socially, emotionally, academically and, my goodness, is he empathetic to others and passionate about the environment and all living things. And I, myself, can’t say enough about the director, teachers, staff and the school itself. They are all truly exceptional! JMS has been a blessing to our family! I would encourage anyone on the fence about Montessori to give it a shot, especially at JMS!
-Kristin Zwicker
If you think your child would thrive in a Montessori environment, give us a call or
schedule a tour online. We would love for you to visit our school and learn more.
