5 years before Dec. 31

The Kindergarten year at Parkside Community Montessori is a time of growth, mastery, and celebration. As the culminating year of the Montessori Early Childhood program, this third year marks the end of a significant developmental phase and offers children the opportunity to consolidate their skills, lead their classroom community, and prepare confidently for the next stage of their education.

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Rooted in Montessori philosophy, our program is designed around individualized instruction, with each child receiving the support and challenge they need to flourish. In the morning, our kindergartners serve as leaders in the mixed-age classroom, modeling responsibility and collaboration for younger peers. After lunch, they transition into a focused small-group setting for individualized academic instruction, where they work at their own pace, explore advanced concepts, and receive one-on-one support in areas where they need reinforcement.

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Language

Language development in the Parkside kindergarten year is both rich and deeply personal. Children benefit from advanced Montessori language materials that strengthen phonetic awareness, vocabulary development, grammar, and reading comprehension. Each afternoon begins with a read-aloud of a chapter book, allowing children to build listening skills, discuss narrative elements, and grow a love of literature.

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Following this, students engage in creative and pre-writing using personalized journals and prompts designed to inspire expression, support fine motor development, and encourage the habits of thoughtful writers. As the year progresses, many children begin composing multi-sentence stories, incorporating punctuation, spelling patterns, and descriptive language.

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Mathematics

Using scientifically designed Montessori materials, kindergartners develop a strong conceptual foundation in mathematics. These hands-on tools allow children to concretely understand complex ideas, such as place value, operations, and fractions. During the Kindergarten year, many students move from manipulating concrete materials to applying their knowledge to abstract mathematical thinking, solving problems independently and with increasing sophistication.

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Students are encouraged to advance as they’re ready—whether that’s mastering dynamic addition with the golden bead materials or working through early multiplication using the stamp game. Our small group and individualized lessons allow for both enrichment and focused support.

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Science

At Parkside, science is hands-on, meaningful, and integrated into daily life. Kindergarten students become the primary caretakers of our school garden, where they plant, tend, and harvest seasonal crops. They also help care for our school chickens, learning about lifecycles, responsibility, and animal care through daily routines. These experiences foster a sense of stewardship, observation, and curiosity about the natural world.

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With Claude Moore Park just steps away, children enjoy regular nature walks and trail explorations—learning to observe, record, and ask questions about the environment around them. They also conduct guided science experiments throughout the year, culminating in a personal project showcased at Parkside’s STEM Night Science Fair each spring.

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Cultural Studies

Building on the foundational Montessori geography and cultural lessons, Kindergarten students at Parkside dive deeper into the diversity of our world. They study continents, climates, animals, architecture, customs, and languages. Each child selects a country of interest and prepares a cultural presentation to share with their classmates.

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This work encourages global awareness, presentation skills, and personal confidence. It also strengthens their sense of place in the broader world and nurtures respect and curiosity for differences.

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Arts

Art is a daily part of life at Parkside, and in the Kindergarten year, it takes on new depth and purpose. In addition to morning studio work, Kindergarteners receive dedicated arts instruction that includes exposure to art history, techniques, and the elements of design.

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Throughout the year, children compile a personal portfolio of their creative work, reflecting on their growth and experimenting with various media. Their artistic journey culminates in the creation of a Kindergarten Shadow Box Self-Portrait, a representational artwork using found and created objects that tell the story of their year.

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Beyond the Classroom

Learning at Parkside doesn't stop at the classroom door. Throughout the year, Kindergarteners take field trips that connect to their academic and cultural studies, expand their understanding of the world, and provide joyful, shared experiences. Whether exploring local museums, hiking with naturalists, or attending a performance, these experiences further enrich the Kindergarten year and build lasting memories.

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The Parkside Kindergarten program is a celebration of all that your child has become and all they are ready to explore. Through meaningful work, leadership opportunities, and personalized instruction, they emerge from this foundational year confident, capable, and excited for the journey ahead.

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