LE PETIT PARADIS

                              I know happiness does not come with things. 
                            It can come from work and pride in what you do. —Gandhi

                          MONTESSORI: PRACTICALITY AND INDEPENDENCE

Trial and error: Children experiment, instead of being shown how to do everything.

Freedom: Children sometimes like to do the same thing repeatedly for weeks, until they have mastered it. Teachers will not stand in their way.

Care and respect for materials: Some are made from porcelain or ceramic to teach them how to handle fragile materials. Some breakage is expected in class.

Practical life: This aspect of Montessori is very relaxing, almost like meditation, because the focus is on a very specific activity or a task, such as pouring liquids. Hand-Eye Coordination development is naturally enhanced in this way.

Snack table: Children prepare their own snack and learn to squeeze oranges and make juice themselves!

Language: Children learn to write the alphabet with the special sand letters material.Teachers speak to children in French and English.

                           BANK STREET: IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY

Pretend play: Various fabrics are provided so the children can use their imagination to create their own costumes.

Art: Children tell the teacher what they are painting or drawing from their own imagination, rather than seeking the teacher's approval or a reality-based description.

Blocks : The children learn how to build in 3 dimensional spaces and create imaginary settings/worlds.

Cooking: This activity increases the child's awareness of the senses and teaches them about taste, smell and measurement.

Music & Movement: Children learn the differences among the sounds produced by various instruments.

Much emphasis is placed upon rhytmic awareness and the children are encouraged to move to the beat.

Reading: The classroom has a very comfortable, cozy reading area that encourages them to get completely engrossed in a book, either on their own or during Reading Circle with the teacher.

Both philosophies encourage community living and complement each other. The children learn to help each other and to be of service to their school community,  and, eventually, to the outside world.