Preschool & Kindergarten
Preschool & Kindergaten
In Italian, “Casa” means “house”. In this carefully prepared home away from home, children experience a nurturing environment that encourages resourcefulness, respect, and responsibility. Our preschool and kindergarten program follows the Montessori curriculum and emphasizes the importance of Christ in everything we do.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
Preschool
Every morning, Casa students have an uninterrupted work time where they can freely choose their work. Montessori-trained teachers guide and introduce new ideas and activities, helping students develop independence, respect, and responsibility. During lunchtime, children practice the grace and courtesy skills they have learned. Preschool children take a midday nap while older children have a rest to recharge before continuing their exploration of the learning environment. Afternoons also offer the opportunity for open-ended playtime.
Kindergarten
Children, ages 5 and 6, spend the morning in Casa and then eat lunch, where grace and manners are emphasized. In the afternoon, individualized lessons in language and mathematics are expanded using Kinesthetic materials. This enables the child to enjoy and explore the world, completely understand various operations and result in math and language concepts being easily attainable.
AREAS OF LEARNING
FAITH
Faith is an integral part of a child’s experience at Hand in Hand. Each environment includes an “Atrium.” This carefully prepared space houses an altar, sacred work, and biblical stories. We present stories and lessons to help the children know God and the way he wants us to live. We emphasize the Word and worship through which children can express their faith in Christ.
Practical Life
Practical life activities are purposeful and aim to develop motor control, coordination, independence, concentration, and a sense of responsibility. Children refine these areas by learning everyday life skills such as plant care, food preparation, and environmental care.
Math
Montessori math materials are designed to provide children with hands-on, visual, and tactile learning aids. These materials offer concrete knowledge of abstract concepts, enabling students to gain a deeper understanding.
Language Arts
Montessori language materials are designed for children to explore the intricacies of written and spoken language. These materials help students master letter sounds, handwriting, and eventually, reading, spelling, and writing.
Cultural Studies
Montessori’s Cultural Subjects include geography, history, and science. They foster an early interest in learning about the world, including natural wonders, people, history, culture, music, and art. Through cultural studies, Casa children can “travel” and explore the world within the learning environment.
Sensorial
Sensorial materials allow children to engage with the world around them through sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. These materials enable children to explore different properties of materials, such as size, shape, color, sound, similarities, and differences, using their senses.
WHAT THE HAND DOES THE MIND REMEMBERS.
DR. MARIA MONTESSORI
A day in CASA ...
Children preschool through kindergarten are invited to work with the Montessori curriculum in a Christian context. Trained teachers give engaging lessons on a daily basis to help children grow in independence and abilities.
Mornings in the Casa involve an uninterrupted work time where children move freely from one presentation to another. After they will eat lunch where grace and manners are emphasized. Then, they will have a quiet siesta where stories will be read to them. Afternoons are spent in the outdoor environment or our indoor play space. Older children will receive enrichment lessons in language and mathematics learning extensions of the kinesthetic materials. This enables the child to enjoy and explore the world, completely understand various operations which result in math and language concepts being easily attainable.
