Children’s House
Children's House sets a strong foundation for a child as an individual and as a member of a community. Each student has a defining role in our Stepping Stones (ages 2.8 months to 3) and Primary mixed-age classrooms (ages 3-6) to gain a strong sense of self, independence, and an innate joy for learning.
Starting the MMS Journey
At Metropolitan Montessori School, we honor each child and meet them where they are developmentally through individualized lessons, hands-on exploration, and thoughtful teacher observation helping each child develop and master skills and concepts in different areas of learning while honing critical thinking and problem solving skills. A Children’s House student is intrinsically motivated to learn because it is simply a satisfying and joyous pursuit to “work.” A young child becomes part of their classroom community, learning to care for others. Grace and courtesy is part of daily life.
Older children become teachers and helpers to their younger peers while the younger children learn to navigate different social situations helping them develop respect, empathy and kindness towards others. Children’s House is a time of joyful discovery and making connections. Each child’s academic journey is unique and at their own pace. They eagerly attend Interdisciplinary classes (music, PE, French, movement, Art) and learn to engage with other adults in the bigger community.
Stepping Stones (2 years and 8 months to 3 years old)
A Stepping Stones student begins to see themself as part of a bigger whole, looking beyond oneself and family. In a classroom with a small class size, they learn to be part of a community and develop social and emotional skills – from parallel play to cooperative play, from being helped to becoming more independent to care for their own needs and eventually fulfilling that desire to help and care for others. They also start making meaningful connections with their own lives and school life. Their language development takes off during this time from receptive to expressive language and using these skills to understand their feelings, process math and language concepts.
Three Year Olds
As the youngest member in a Primary classroom, a three year old develops a sense of belonging in a larger community and forms relationships with older peers who they see as role models to emulate. A three year old’s emotional social development is reflected in their developing “sense of self” and confidence along with a growing awareness of classroom procedures, respect for the environment, acceptance of boundaries and making good choices. The foundational skills of learning begin with concentration, order, and being able to listen. They learn skills and concepts by repeating activities to completion, developing their stamina, concentration and autonomy.
Four Year Olds
A four year old in a Primary classroom is an independent, dependable member of the classroom community. They start taking on leadership roles and nurturing their younger peers. They are learning to be both sympathetic and empathetic, to wait their turn; to work and play cooperatively; and to express their needs and feelings in a positive manner. At this age, they become intensely interested in more challenging academic work and with hands-on learning and exploration, they naturally absorb skills and academic concepts satisfying their innate curiosity and joy for learning. They are also more self-directed and independent learners.
Kindergarten
In Kindergarten, students are an integral part of classroom community life. They become helpers to their teachers and teachers to their peers, taking great pride in this new role. They also relish participating in new experiences. They engage in collaborative work and play, navigating different social situations using teamwork and their critical thinking skills with more autonomy, confidence and grace. They have more interests and passions to pursue, often leading to deeper, more thoughtful questions and self-directed learning. They are moving from concrete to more complex abstract concepts. In Children’s House, the Kindergarten year is the “capstone year” – it is the culmination of a student’s growth in all areas of learning and development.
Curricular Scope and Sequences
Learn about our curricula and how students' knowledge and skills build over time. Note: The Montessori Culture curriculum blends history, geography, science, art, and music.
