Rivermont now offers a choice for its early school families. The recently added Montessori classroom caters to 3 to 5-year-olds and strongly emphasizes the power of peer learning. Younger children absorb knowledge through engaging, hands-on explorations by observing and interacting with older peers. Simultaneously, the older children reinforce their understanding of concepts while honing vital leadership skills by sharing their wisdom with the younger ones. This collaborative and interactive approach fosters a strong sense of support and enriches the overall learning experience within the Montessori community.
Embracing the foundational principles of Montessori education:
Children learn by working with specially designed materials. Rather than memorizing math facts, they begin by counting and adding concrete materials. They use little objects and a set of wooden letters known as the movable alphabet to learn to read and write.
Peer learning is encouraged as the younger children learn from observing their older friends, and the older children solidify their knowledge and gain valuable leadership skills through giving lessons to the younger children. Rivermont’s Montessori classroom includes children from 3 to 5 years old.
Uninterrupted work period
Rather than having 30 minutes for math and then 30 minutes for language, children have a long morning and afternoon work period in one classroom that includes all the subjects. This long period allows children to engage with the materials deeply and achieve intense concentration.
In addition to math, language, science, and geography, Montessori includes two other academic areas: practical life and sensorial.
- Practical life teaches children the skills necessary for everyday life, such as carefully pouring water, tying shoes, zipping, buttoning, preparing food, and scrubbing tables.
- Sensorial involves using materials specifically designed to help children refine their senses.
Educating the whole child
A Rivermont education, including Montessori, focuses on educating the whole child, including physical, social, mental, and emotional.
Rather than giving a group lesson, the teacher gives one-on-one lessons to each student depending on the child’s ability and need. This is possible because the children largely work independently, spending much of the day practicing and perfecting work they have already been given.
The Montessori classroom is designed with everything the child needs to explore and learn independently.
The emphasis is on community, both the classroom community and the broader global community. Children learn about the world and learn tools for self-calming and conducting peaceful conflict resolution.
Rivermont sasa inatoa chaguo kwa familia zake za shule ya mapema. Kwa mfano, shule ya Montessori inawafundisha watoto wenye umri wa miaka mitatu hadi mitano, na pia inaonyesha jinsi ya kujifunza kutoka kwa wenzao. Watoto wadogo huchukua maarifa kupitia uchunguzi wenye kuvutia, wa mikono kwa kuchunguza na kuingiliana na wenzao wakubwa. Wakati huohuo, watoto wakubwa huimarisha uelewa wao wa dhana wakati wakiboresha ustadi muhimu wa uongozi kwa kushiriki hekima yao na wale wadogo. Njia hii ya ushirikiano na maingiliano huendeleza hisia kali ya msaada na kutajirisha uzoefu wa jumla wa kujifunza ndani ya jamii ya Montessori. Kufuata kanuni za msingi za elimu ya Montessori: Watoto hujifunza kwa kufanya kazi na vifaa vilivyobuniwa kwa njia ya pekee. Badala ya kukariri mambo ya hisabati, wao huanza kwa kuhesabu na kuongeza vifaa halisi. Wao hutumia vitu vidogo na seti ya herufi za mbao zinazojulikana kama alfabeti inayoweza kuhamishwa ili kujifunza kusoma na kuandika. Kujifunza kutoka kwa wenzao hutiwa moyo wakati watoto wadogo wanajifunza kwa kuchunguza marafiki wao wakubwa, na watoto wakubwa huimarisha maarifa yao na kupata ujuzi muhimu wa uongozi kwa kuwapa watoto wadogo masomo. Darasa la Montessori la Rivermont lina watoto wenye umri wa miaka 3 hadi 5. Badala ya kuwa na dakika 30 kwa ajili ya hesabu na kisha dakika 30 kwa ajili ya lugha, watoto wana muda mrefu wa asubuhi na alasiri kazi katika darasa moja ambayo ni pamoja na masomo yote. Kipindi hicho kirefu huwawezesha watoto kujifunza mambo hayo kwa undani na kukaza fikira sana. Mbali na hisabati, lugha, sayansi, na jiografia, Montessori inajumuisha maeneo mengine mawili ya kitaaluma: maisha ya vitendo na hisia. Maisha ya vitendo hufundisha watoto ustadi unaohitajika kwa maisha ya kila siku, kama vile kumwagilia maji kwa uangalifu, kufunga viatu, kufunga zip, kufunga vifungo, kutayarisha chakula, na kusafisha meza. - Sensorial inahusisha kutumia vifaa vilivyotengenezwa hasa ili kuwasaidia watoto kuboresha hisi zao. Elimu ya Rivermont, ikiwa ni pamoja na Montessori, inazingatia kuelimisha mtoto mzima, ikiwa ni pamoja na kimwili, kijamii, kiakili, na kihisia. Badala ya kutoa somo la kikundi, mwalimu hutoa masomo ya mtu mmoja-mmoja kwa kila mwanafunzi kulingana na uwezo na uhitaji wa mtoto. Hii inawezekana kwa sababu watoto hufanya kazi kwa kujitegemea, wakitumia sehemu kubwa ya siku kufanya mazoezi na kuboresha kazi ambayo tayari wamepewa. Darasa la Montessori limebuniwa kwa kila kitu ambacho mtoto anahitaji kuchunguza na kujifunza kwa kujitegemea. Mkazo ni juu ya jamii, wote jamii darasani na jamii pana ya kimataifa. Watoto hujifunza kuhusu ulimwengu na kujifunza zana za kujituliza na kufanya utatuzi wa amani wa migogoro.