extended day kinder house

Ages 5-6 years

Admissions Process

Children enrolled in Kinder House at Newburyport Montessori School experience a prepared, child-centered environment that encourages active learning through exploration and discovery.  Children have access to multilevel experiences and activities of varying degrees of complexity.  They are able to use concrete materials that allow for individual differences and natural variations in their ability.

Children enjoy learning and discovering new things on a daily basis. They learn through individual exploration and during group circles that are part of the afternoon program. They have the opportunity to explore curriculum areas more fully, learn more advanced problem solving skills, and work collaboratively. Friday’s are often a day for local walking field trips, which may include a visit to our local fire, police, and US Coast Guard Stations.

We offer two options for the Kinder House program: five mornings and four afternoons (Monday through Thursday), or five full days.

Real collaboration only comes from those who do not feel overpowered and can contribute freely. Only when we are free is it possible to make choices – Maria Montessori

Main Program Goals

First Goal

The first goal involves basic skills. We want to give each child opportunities to progress in mathematics and language, as well as science and geography, keeping in mind that each child learns in his or her own way and at his or her own pace. 

Second Goal

The second goal is to introduce the children to the experiences that enrich our lives, such as music and art. Our goal is not to instill detailed knowledge and faces, but rather to capture the imagination and keep alive the instinctive curiosity children have about all aspects of their lives. 

Third Goal

The third goal is to provide children with a warm, loving and secure environment that meets their individual needs. Children are closely observed and given appropriate lessons, as well as the freedom to repeat lessons as often as desired in order for mastery to be fully accomplished.

Curriculum Goals

Language

  • Identify upper and lower case letters
  • Develop a foundation in phonics and letter recognition
  • Write own first and last name
  • Develop vocabulary and appreciation for new words
  • Understand concepts of print (letter, word, sentence, left-to-right and top-to-bottom directionality)
  • Develop listening comprehension
  • Understand concept of rhyme
  • Develop ability to form printed letters correctly
  • Develop ability to isolate beginning, middle, and ending sounds
  • Write using invented spelling
  • Develop an appreciation for literature
  • Use oral language to tell stories depicted in drawings
  • Experiment with different forms of writing (lists, messages, signs, etc)
  • Develop ability to copy printed writing from various sources
  • Build sight word repertoire
  • Develop strong and correct pencil grip, as well as strengthen hand and finger muscles and dexterity
  • Share and discuss work and ideas with confidence, as well as begin to follow rules of conversation
  • Learn about concepts of fiction/nonfiction, as well as identify author, title, and illustrator
  • Build confidence in self-expression

Math

  • Develop association of numeral symbol and quantity
  • Develop ability to compose and recognize 2, 3, and 4 digit numbers
  • Strengthen rote counting ability
  • Develop an understand of simple addition and subtraction
  • Enhance skip counting skills
  • Solve oral word problems
  • Identify operations symbols of ‘+’, ‘-’, and ‘=’
  • Strengthen sequencing skills (to 100)
  • Develop an understanding of basic measurement and estimation concepts
  • Develop an understanding of patterns

    Science/Geography/Cultural Studies

    • Cultivate a respect for and love of nature and the world in which we live
    • Develop an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of human culture and ecosystems
    • Understand concepts of land/air/water (continents, oceans, land forms, etc.)
    • Explore the components of the natural world (flora, fauna, the four elements, etc.)
    • Enhance observation and classification skills
    • Learn to utilize the Scientific Method (observe, predict, draw conclusions)
    • Identify basic parts of plants and animals
    • Develop an understanding of the cycle of the seasons, as well as the sequence of the calendar
    • Participate in basic experiments with water, air, magnets, sound, etc.)
    • Develop familiarity with fundamental concepts of the natural world (hibernation, migration, the food chain, life cycles, etc.)

    Work Habits

    • Ability to make appropriate work choice independently
    • Ability to work cooperatively in a group as well as alone
    • Ability to focus and concentrate on a single task and follow it through to completion
    • Ability to take directions
    • Enhance listening skills
    • Ability to organize oneself and chosen activity
    • Display imagination and creativity in one’s work

    Social Skills

    • Grace and Courtesy
    • Community awareness
    • Ability to cooperate as a group member
    • Ability to listen to others and to express oneself
    • Appreciate and honor the differences similarities of others
    • Understanding of friendship
    • Ability to engage in personal and peer problem solving and conflict resolution
    • Empathy toward others
    • Appreciation for peace and for the work of peacemakers in our community
    Our four children had extraordinary Kindergarten experiences at NMS and we cannot speak more highly of the importance of that year for them.  They loved going to school each day.  As parents, we loved watching them soak up every experience and seeing their confidence and independence build.  The year solidified the learning that had started in the pre-school classroom and gave them an opportunity to take it to a more advanced level.
    Each of our four children had slightly different experiences during the Kindergarten year since the teachers tailored the content depending on the interest of the children.  However, there were some common themes.  All four left NMS reading, comfortable with math concepts, inspired, and eager to learn.  They formed bonds with their same-aged classmates that were new and extremely close.
    After attending Kindergarten at NMS, entering first grade at our local public elementary school went smoothly.  Our children were academically well-prepared, self motivated, and used to working independently. They entered the new learning environment with skills to handle potential conflicts in a peaceful and productive way, skills that they will draw on for the rest of their lives.
    Sally Milliken and Jim Dooling

    Parents