Looking for an alternative to traditional daycares, preschools and kindergartens?
Then the Children’s Garden Montessori may be the answer for you.
Directed by Donna Langolf and Amanda Pullukat, Children’s Garden Montessori offers unique opportunities for developing youngsters ages 2 1/2 to 6 years.
Established in January 1994, Children’s Garden uses the Montessori Method, named after Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female physician. Through her research of children’s development, she created a philosophy, method and materials for guiding little ones through their early years.
‘She discovered children learn more from ages 0-6 than they will learn the rest of their lives,? explained Pullukat. ‘At these ages, their minds are like sponges – they absorb large amounts of information with little effort.?
Both Pullukat and Langolf believe Children’s Garden Montessori builds a great foundation for a lifetime love of learning.
In addition to goegraphy, science, art, music, and computers the Montessori classroom features four specific areas:
? Practical Life – children learn to care for themselves learn social graces, develop fine motor skills and work with real-world materials such as kitchen utensils and age-appropriate tools.
? Sensorial Area – children educate their senses through hands-on materials. All of the senses are experienced including visual discrimination, auditory discrimination, and thermal and textural discrimination.
? Mathematics – children learn the concepts of math by manipulating concrete materials. This technique provides children with a solid understanding of basic math principles, prepares them for abstract reasoning and helps them develop problem-solving capabilities.
? Language – children experience a rich environment of oral language opportunities, including conversations, stories and poetry. Children learn to link sound and symbol effortlessly, and are encouraged in the development of reading skills and written expression.
Children’s Garden Montessori’s two classrooms carefully balance academic, social and physical skills so children can work at an individual pace as well as in a group setting. The staff of two Montessori-certified teachers and eight aids allow students to reach their full potentials.
‘Our school fits the needs of each child rather than trying to have them fit our needs,? explained Pullukat. ‘No child is pushed ahead when they’re not ready, and no child is held back when they want to move forward.?
‘Through their work, children develop concentration, motivation, coordination, self-discipline and ultimately a lifelong love of learning.?
In addition to all this, Children’s Garden Montessori also offers a 10 week summer camp including fun themes featuring the undersea world, medieval times, dinosaurs, holidays around the world, fitness and nutrition.
Camp runs from June 7 through August 16. Children are separated into two groups: ages 3-5 and 6-9 (through 12 years, for latchkey). Parents can chose the days and weeks their children will attend; and can select whether their child will come for a half day, partial, or full day session.
Open year round from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Children’s Garden Montessori is located at 811 W. Drahner Rd., inside the Dominican Sister’s 40 acre campus.
‘We’re not affiliated with the Dominican Sisters,? Pullukat clarified, ‘But we do use their grounds for activities such as nature walks, so the children have some wonderful opportunities here.?
Registration for the regular school year opened on February 15 and will remain open until the 60 student capacity is filled. Registration for summer camp also began on February 15.
Children’s Garden Montessori will host an open house for parents to tour the school from 8-7:30 p.m. on March 22.
For more information or to schedule a tour please call (248) 628-2916.