Montessori Programs
The Classrooms
All classrooms are fully equipped with Montessori equipment and learning materials. Children learn in a beautiful environment where teachers facilitate their learning, record what equipment and lessons the child has been exposed to and document what areas the child has “mastered.”
Classrooms are clean and safe with all health procedures strictly followed based on licensing and best-practices.
Please scroll down on this page for more details. In addition, please take a tour of the school by clicking on the link below.
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=1QXXLgiU2ad
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Multi-age Learning
Multi-age learning is one of the key tenets of the Montessori philosophy where older children help to teach the younger ones in the group. It typically covers a three-year age span, providing a rich resource of knowledge and experience.
Each classroom has two teachers who work together as partners to prepare and manage the classroom, and to teach to the individual needs of the child in small groups or one-on-one. Montessori teachers are certified through accredited Montessori teacher education programs. Central to the philosophy of Montessori education is the belief that every child is driven by his or her own desires to learn, and that within a carefully structured and prepared environment, the child will fulfill his or her needs in their entirety. “Follow the child” and “freedom with responsibilities” are two Montessori principles that Green River Montessori School deeply honors and respects.
Green River Montessori School supports children in choosing meaningful and challenging work that captures their interest, leading to engagement, intrinsic motivation, sustained attention, and a sense of responsibility to oneself and others.
Nido and Young Toddler Community
The Nido and Young Toddler Community accommodates children 3-23 months of age. The word “Nido” is derived from the Italian word meaning “nest” and conveys the spirit of the infant environment. Our classrooms are warm, comforting, and inviting with care being taken to provide nurturing, clam stimulation to enhance the development of the young child. The classroom is equipped with customized equipment and a variety of carefully chosen, high-quality natural toys. The infants and toddlers are cared for in a safe, loving environment with daily experiences in language development, music, movement, and creative expression. For infants and young toddlers, it is not just about allowing them to play but also about fostering their natural curiosity, independence, and self-confidence. By providing a carefully prepared environment and following these principles, we aim to create a nurturing space where infants and toddlers can thrive and develop at their own pace.
The environment conforms to the physical needs of the children, both in the size of the furnishings and in the opportunities for motor development. The classroom is well-equipped with a variety of puzzles, books, and small motor materials. Montessori learning areas include activities for practical life, sensorial, beginning mathematics, language, art, and music. An outdoor area and a toddler gym are adjacent to the classroom for daily opportunities for fresh air and large muscle activities.
Older Toddler Community
The Older Toddler Community serves children who are approximately 24-36 months of age. The Montessori environment conforms to the physical needs of the children, with assessable sinks and a child-size toilet for ease in potty-learning. The classroom is well-equipped with a variety of materials. Montessori learning areas include activities for practical life, sensorial, beginning mathematics, language, art, and music. An outdoor area and toddler gym are adjacent to the classroom for daily opportunities for fresh air and large muscle activities.
Hours for the above programs are 7:25-4:25 daily. Only full-time students are currently accepted and may attend 6-9 hours a day. Two snacks and a hot lunch based on USDA guidelines are served daily (children must bring a lunch from home on Fridays).
These classrooms are located on the lower level of the school and have a separate playground to accomodate their age.
Full-Day Preschool Programs
Each classroom is fully-equipped and has two teachers. Hours are 7:00-4:25 daily. Two snacks and a hot lunch based on USDA guidelines are served daily (children must bring a lunch from home on Fridays).
The Montessori preschool classrooms are designed for children ages 3-6, with an extended “kindergarten” for the 5–6-year-old child. It offers children opportunities to develop their own capabilities, progressing at their own pace. Each classroom is filled with developmentally appropriate activities that encourage children to interact with specific learning materials, as well as to work cooperatively with others. Social and emotional learning is woven throughout the curriculum and in daily interactions with the children. The school is committed to meeting the mental health of children and has specialized training in trauma-informed practices.
Students in a Montessori environment are free to choose the activity they wish to work with. They learn to make choices based on what they are interested in and what is available. While some children will naturally choose to work with others, often the youngest students focus on solo activities. As children mature, the curriculum intentionally provides small group instruction and collaborative activities. The combination of independent, partner, small-group, and whole-group lessons and activities introduces children to different learning relationships and interpersonal dynamics—valuable skills for their interactions outside the classroom!
Allowing children to make their own choices based on internal motivation rather than adult direction sets a strong foundation for developing capable children.
Green River Montessori is an anti-racist, multicultural school with an emphasis on social justice and equity.
Phone 253 833-7010
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GRMS@comcast.net