 Primary
ProgramThe Primary Program is designed for children ages three through
five.
During these years, children learn through their senses and
absorb information effortlessly. The primary classroom is
filled with an array of colorful, exciting and stimulating
materials. This carefully prepared environment encourages
discovery and fosters the development of independence,
concentration, sequential thought, and controlled physical
movement. The Primary Program
encourages sensory development, introduces math and language
concepts, and helps the children develop practical skills they
need in everyday life. Art, music, movement, and a variety
of cultural activities are an integral part of this joyful
learning experience. Everyday the children discover new
creative expressions, while developing respect for themselves
and others. Mixed-aged groupings allow children to learn
from and teach each other.
Children in the primary classes are encouraged to move, touch
and explore their classroom. Personal responsibility is
learned early. Children learn to say “excuse me” and to make
requests politely. Classroom maintenance becomes, by and large,
the children’s responsibility, as they put materials away and
care for plants and animals. Each
child chooses his or her own work each day. All materials are
invitingly arranged on low, open shelves; chairs, tables and
other furniture are designed to fit the child.
The room is divided into four distinct areas:
practical life, sensorial, mathematics and language. By
mastering practical life skills such as washing and sweeping,
the child learns to function in the adult world. The phrase “I
can do it myself” is encouraged. Sensorial materials enable
children to classify, clarify and comprehend their world. Math
skills are learned through counting rods, spindles and beads.
This hands-on approach works for reading and writing as well. By
tracing sandpaper letters with their fingers, children learn
what letters look, sound and actually feel like. With the
moveable alphabet, they learn to begin building words and
sentences phonetically.
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