Children’s House Environment

The Children’s House environment is designed for children ages 2 ½ to 6 years old.  The children in the primary program possess what Dr. Montessori called the absorbent mind, the ability to absorb all aspects of one’s culture and environment without effort or fatigue.  As an aid to this period of the child’ construction, individual work is encouraged.  The areas of activity cultivate the children’s adaptation and ability to express and think clearly.

Practical life lessons instill care for self, others and for the environment.  Sensorial materials serve as tools to build cognitive skills and learn to order and classify impressions by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, listening and exploring the physical properties of their environment.  The environment is rich in oral language opportunities as well as lessons that promote the link between sound and symbol, encourage written expression and reading skills, and expose children to the study of grammar.  All of these activities are supported with work in geography, biology, botany, zoology, art and music.  Mathematic activities help children learn and understand the concepts of math by manipulating concrete materials.

The Extended Primary and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs are integrated into the Children’s House environment.
 

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten
    
The Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten(VPK) program is a state funded program for four year olds.   The State of Florida’s goal for this program is to offer educational opportunities for the pre-kindergarten student.  The state requires the program to have activities that foster physical and academic readiness for kindergarten including sound, letter and number recognition, story comprehension and following directions.  Achievement of these goals are tested upon completion of the program.  The goals are met within the Montessori environment and without deviating from the Montessori method.  All four year olds in the Montessori classroom receive equal, individually-appropriate, educational opportunities whether or not they are registered in the VPK program.

The State of Florida guidelines for VPK students mandates that a child must be four years old by September 1st in order to be eligible.  Due to state enrollment-based requirements, Montessori Academy of Naples offers limited spaces in the VPK program on a first come first serve basis.  Over-enrollment would alter the balance of students that is essential to the optimum functioning of the Montessori environment.Parents interested in the VPK program must apply and be accepted through the State of Florida.  Parents are advised to check availability of spaces in their child’s classroom as acceptance in the VPK program by the state of Florida does not guarantee availability in the VPK program at Montessori Academy of Naples.    

Extended Primary (Kindergarten)

The Extended Primary program fosters the child’s natural consolidation of skills as a five-going-on-six year old.  It offers continuity of academic and social progress within their familiar environment and extends the child’s experience through increased responsibilities and expectations within the classroom and through visits into the greater community.  Children who are eligible for this program must be 5 years old by September 1st and be recommended by their Montessori Academy of Naples directress.