Montessori School of Long Grove - Programs for Parent-Infant, Toddler, Preschool & Elementary

Parent-Infant
Our Parent-Infant community is for children between the ages of eight months and two years and their parents. The two groups of parent-infant teams meet Friday mornings for one hour and thirty minutes under the guidance of a certified Montessori teacher. Seminars are held during which parents meet with the teacher to study and discuss educational philosophy and child development and behavior. The Parent-Infant environment provides a stimulating and instructive adventure. Here the children enjoy widening of their horizons by moving a step away from home while still embraced in the security and support of their parents' presence.

Toddler
Our program for two year olds provides an opportunity for young children to experience a social setting away from home and parents; to function in a group of children their own age; and to relate to adults other than their parents. This Montessori experience is a comfortable first step away from home and into the larger community.

In the classroom, practical life and sensorial materials predominate because such exercises encourage concentration, independence, sensitivity to one's surroundings, and awareness of order. These experiences form the base upon which the sequence of advanced materials builds. It is the staff's intention that this first "school" experience be one of joy in living and learning as they guide the children toward independent, self-directed learning.

There are two classes with a maximum of eleven children enrolled, with one certified Montessori trained teacher and one assistant teacher meeting two mornings each week (Monday,Tuesday or Wednesday, Thursday) from 8:30 until 11:00a.m. The parents of the children in these classes may join with those of the parent-infant classes for various parenting seminars scheduled during the year, at no additional cost.

Preschool
Each preschool class is composed of a balanced mixture of three-to-six-year-old children. These classes meet five days a week. All the children arrive at 8:30 a.m. The class ends for three-year-olds and four-year-olds at 11:30 a.m. The children in their last year of the preschool program stay until 2:30 p.m. (our extended day program). The Montessori curriculum and learning materials are sequenced in such a way that each child can progress at his or her own pace. The large many-windowed classrooms are furnished with child-sized equipment and a full complement of the concrete materials scientifically developed by Dr. Maria Montessori to meet the educational needs of this age group. Many opportunities are made available for students to learn to care independently for their personal needs, to practice fine motor skills, to develop their creative abilities, to sharpen their five senses, to acquire the social skills necessary to become happy productive members of society, and to develop an understanding of their own and others' emotional needs. There is time for outdoor group play and physical education in our large, well-equipped playground.

Students in extended day have lunch with their teacher, during which they integrate skills they have learned, such as social interaction, grace and courtesy, and information about health and nutrition. The extended day accommodates these child's ability to study for a longer period, and helps prepare them for elementary classes. Extended day students benefit from a low teacher:student ratio, and spend their afternoons working with advanced materials. Special projects and field trips are a important part of this program.

Elementary
Our elementary program includes a lower elementary class (ages 6 to 9) and an upper elementary class (ages 9 to 12) in a shared environment. This arrangement offers many opportunities for creating a sense of community based on mutual respect and cooperation. Children also develop self-esteem, leadership skills, and responsible decision-making techniques. With this type of program children learn at their own pace in group as well as individual lessons. The children arrive at 8:30 a.m., bring their lunch, and are dismissed at 3:00 p.m.

Dr. Maria Montessori wrote that psychologically there is a decided change in personality at about age six. At this time, Montessori says, "the mind is a fertile field ready to receive what will germinate into culture." She also states that, if neglected during this period, the child's mind becomes artificially dull and resists imparted knowledge. Elementary age children are eager for knowledge about cultural developments and scientific and artistic achievements. They yearn for an understanding of morality -- what is good and what is evil, and why. They strongly desire association with others which develops social skills and leads to self-knowledge and understanding.

In preparing the elementary environment, the Montessori School of Long Grove takes all these needs into account. The classroom is rich in learning materials which encourage research and independent or group work. Also, there are many opportunities for "going out" into the community and for activities in which students can test themselves both physically and socially.

Special Classes
In addition to the Montessori program (with its emphasis on the academic, physical, and emotional development of the children), Orff music lessons are given one day a week. These begin with the three-to-six classes and continue through the elementary grades. The Orff-Schulwerk method, developed by composer Carl Orff, uses a child's natural, playful impulses towards movement and vocal expression to teach musical concepts. Students explore beat, rhythm, and pitch through music, rhyme, and movement exercises. Orff also promotes creativity through improvisation and composition. Children sign, use body percussion, and play rhythm instruments and xylophones, and progressively attain note-ready skills.

Our Spanish teacher visits classrooms during the week to teach Spanish lessons to the extended day and elementary children. The classroom teachers continue both Orff instruction and Spanish during the regular class time.

Parent Education
The school offers a variety of programs during the year so that parents may improve their parenting skills and broaden their understanding of Montessori philosophy, methods and materials, and of child development in general. Parents are strongly urged to read Dr. Montessori's books and those of other experts in the field of child development, behavior, and education. Most of these are available at your community library, may be borrowed from MSLG's library, or purchased in inexpensive paperback editions. See Resources page.

Parent Conferences
Parent conferences are scheduled twice a year. A parent or teacher may request a conference by appointment at any time if either feels there is a need for one. Observations may be scheduled by parents of currently enrolled students October through April but are not required before conferences.

Parent Association
The Parent Association (P.A.) plays a significant role in the life of our school. In addition to being an organization in which parents can socialize and learn, the P.A. conducts fund-raisers during the year to help provide some extra materials for the classrooms and playgrounds.

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Montessori School of Long Grove, Inc.
1115 RFD
Long Grove, IL 60047
847-634-0430


	Programs Montessori School of Long Grove "Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed." -- Maria Montessori