The Primary Environments

Montessori Classroom

Maria Montessori called her environment for the 3 to 6 year old child Casa dei Bambini or “Children’s House”. This multi-age environment allows the younger children to learn from the older children and the older children to become leaders in their own community by assisting the younger children. The result is a community of young children learning from each other and developing respect for one another.

The Children’s House environment is filled with precise physical materials for the child to manipulate. Performing practical life functions is the first step for a child entering the Children’s House environment. Activities such as sweeping, flower arranging, scrubbing, polishing and preparing food are concrete ways a child begins to develop independence, concentration, coordination and a sense of order. It is also through the practical life activities that a child learns social graces and courtesies, self-control and respect.   

The Montessori sensorial materials encourage the child to refine the multitude of sensory impressions absorbed throughout the toddler's years. It is through the sensorial materials that the children begin to mentally organize and classify their world. Listening and oral language skills develop into strong writing and reading skills with the Montessori Language curriculum, and abstract mathematical concepts are absorbed through the manipulation of the Montessori Mathematic materials. The use of these precise, concrete materials allows the child to easily absorb abstract concepts and ideas. Children in the Children’s House environment are also introduced to concepts in science, geography, art, music, music, movement and cultural studies.  This multi-sensory and integrated approach to learning aids in the development of the whole child.

South Suburban Montessori School has three Children’s House environments. In two of the Montessori Children’s House environments, the 3 and 4 year-old children are present five days a week from 8:30am to 11:45am. The five year old students in their third year stay until 3:15, allowing for a longer work cycle known as Extended Day. Extended Day is the equivalent of Kindergarten.

Our All Day Children’s House is available from 8:30am to 3:15pm or 6:00 pm. The morning work cycle in the All Day environment follows that of the half day Children’s House classes. The 3 and 4 year-old students have rest time in the afternoon, while the five year olds participate in regular Extended Day activities. Later in the day, children enjoy outdoor play, gardening and other homelike activities. Our All Day Children’s House provides a nurturing, secure environment based on Montessori principles to children who need to spend a longer day in school.

After completing the Children’s House Extended Day experience, children are well-prepared for Lower Elementary.