Early Childhood

3 - 6 years

3 - 4 years

Half Day (7am - 12:30pm)

School Day (7am - 3pm)

Full Day (7am - 6pm)

Kindergarten

(5 - 6 years)

School Day (7am - 3pm)

Full Day (7am - 6pm)

Our Early Childhood program, including the Kindergarten year, provides an ideal learning environment for children ages 3 to 6. Within a supportive community, we foster individualized experiences that help each child grow into an independent, confident, and capable young learner with well-rounded cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

Each day, children make independent discoveries, build friendships, and learn what it means to be part of a community. Through these meaningful experiences, they develop a sense of responsibility, becoming peer teachers, leaders, and empathetic friends. This transformative journey nurtures essential qualities such as compassion, concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a lifelong love of learning.

Prepared Environment

Our thoughtfully designed Montessori preschool classrooms ignite curiosity and invite hands-on exploration. Since young children learn primarily through their senses, our classrooms are filled with carefully curated materials that encourage sensorial engagement. Guided by experienced teachers, children engage in both independent and collaborative work, following their interests while developing essential skills.

Curriculum

Montessori classrooms are renowned for their scientifically developed learning materials that support foundational skill-building. Tools such as the pink tower and brown stair enhance sensorial exploration, golden bead materials introduce mathematical concepts, and sandpaper letters with metal insets lay the groundwork for language development. These materials provide a strong foundation, preparing children for the next stage of growth with confidence.

Practical Life

Practical Life, often regarded as the foundation of Montessori education, provides a seamless transition from home to school. It builds upon existing skills while laying the groundwork for future learning, helping children adapt to the rhythm of the classroom. Through hands-on activities—such as pouring water or tying shoelaces—children develop independence, confidence, and a sense of responsibility in their daily lives.

Language

One of the unique aspects of Montessori education is how children acquire language. Since sounds are the first elements they perceive—even before they can speak or associate words with meaning—Montessori begins with phonetics. The focus is on comprehension rather than rote memorization, allowing children to develop reading and writing skills through a deep understanding of language.

Sensorial

Children develop an understanding of the world through their senses. They taste, hear, smell, touch, and see as they explore their surroundings. At this formative stage, they are still learning to interpret and make sense of their experiences. The Sensorial area helps children refine their senses, organize their perceptions, and build a foundation for critical thinking and cognitive development.

Mathematics

If there is one defining principle of Montessori education, it is that abstract concepts are best understood through concrete experiences. This is especially evident in math. Through a series of hands-on, progressive exercises, children develop a deep and meaningful understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, using tangible materials that bring mathematical concepts to life.

Cultural

We are dedicated to the belief that children should be well-rounded, nurturing both academic and social growth. At this pivotal stage, it’s important for children to explore a broad range of subjects. The Cultural area encompasses science, botany, zoology, history, and geography, providing a diverse learning foundation. Additionally, art and music play an essential role, enriching the child's overall development and fostering creativity.

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Kindergarten

The Kindergarten program at Parkside Community Montessori is the capstone of the Early Childhood experience, where children emerge as confident, capable learners and leaders. Parkside's Kindergarten program balances leadership opportunities in a mixed-age morning environment with focused, small-group academic work in the afternoon. Using scientifically designed Montessori materials, children deepen their skills across core subjects—language, math, science, cultural studies, and the arts—while progressing at their own pace with personalized support and challenge. Daily experiences include chapter book read-alouds, hands-on math and science exploration, cultural research projects, artistic expression, and real-world responsibilities such as caring for the school garden and chickens. Field trips and outdoor learning further enrich the curriculum and connect classroom concepts to the wider world.

What sets Parkside apart is our commitment to honoring each child’s individual path. While we recognize the value of benchmarks and age-based comparisons, our focus is on authentic growth and demonstrated understanding. Progress is measured through observation and hands-on application, allowing children to move forward when they are truly ready. This approach cultivates confidence, independence, and a love of learning—essential qualities that prepare students not just for the next academic step, but for life beyond the classroom.

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