Curriculum

 Developing new skills that will help children become confident and independent happens daily in the practical life section of our classrooms. Children get basic lessons on things such as pouring, spooning, scooping, tonging, etc. They also learn more advanced activities like hand washing, polishing, flower arranging, food preparation, and gardening. Other goals of the Practical Life curriculum include developing a sense of order and improving coordination as well as strengthening fine motor skills. Children are drawn to all the lovely, child size materials and are free to explore in an unhurried way. Many of the skills they learn in this area set the foundation for learning in all other areas. For example, remembering the eight steps involved at the hand washing table from putting on a smock to pouring out the used water may help a child learn to complete step by step directions which they will need to do later when working on lengthy math problems. Most of the activities (which we call “works” in the Montessori classroom) require using a pincer grip which helps strengthen hand muscles for writing. You might say we have a lot of “hidden agendas” in that the children don't know all about the many benefits of Montessori learning, they just do what they do because it is fun and purposeful! 

 Maria Montessori wrote that from birth to age six, children are in their sensitive period for language. Sensitive periods are crucial times during a child's development. With heightened sensitivity to the sights and sounds around them, children are able to learn to speak and eventually read and write. At Happy Munchkins Day School even our youngest learners receive lessons in phonics and use beautiful Montessori materials that get them excited about developing their language skills. In our mixed age classes, younger children see what older students are doing and are naturally motivated to do the same. Children are not limited to certain activities because of their age.

In addition to traditional Montessori handwriting materials, our students are introduced to the Handwriting Without Tears program which is a whole sensory approach to learning letters and numbers. Children like it because it includes fun activities like making the shapes of letters or numbers with play dough, singing letter songs, building letters with lines and curves made out of wood, and so much more.

Children's literature is a big part of our program and we find the very best books to read at circle time and to put in our classroom libraries. We LOVE books!

Awakening the child's senses is one goal of the sensorial materials. The curriculum is designed to help children fully engage with the world around them. Early works involve objects that vary by one property such as color, texture, or size. They also may isolate the senses in that a work may primarily involve the use of one of the five senses. For instance children may take turns wearing a blindfold when tasting different kinds of apples. Children may do a similar activity when smelling fresh herbs and matching them with dried herbs in bottles. Language is incorporated into sensorial exercises when children use words to describe what they are experiencing.

Sensorial works also encourage problem solving, creativity, concentration, and cooperation.

“Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.“
-Pablo Picasso

HMDS teachers believe children need art and should have access to engaging art materials and projects every day. Our art curriculum includes developing basic art skills, exploring with different mediums and techniques, and learning about famous artists and their works. At the end of the school year some of the children's masterpieces are displayed at our annual Art Show.

Children also need music and one way that we foster a love of singing and making music is through our music classes. The children love the songs they learn and can often be heard singing them throughout the day. 

Other popular creative arts activities include writing stories and poems, presenting puppet shows, acting, and dramatic play.