The Jet Sets
Kids program is
an eclectic one in which I have incorporated many of the principles of the
Montessori Method including the controlled environment, the individualized
child-led learning, and the“framework” curriculum of the Montessori Method,
while employing other proven curriculums such as “Writing Road to Reading”
which teaches young children the foundations of writing and reading through all
the senses: "see, say, hear, write". I used it to teach my own
daughter when I home schooled her many years ago. The superb writing skills she
gained from this program helped make her the successful college student she is
today.
Controlled and directed construction blocks are also a
big part of my program, as studies have proven that children gain the greatest
number of life-skills as well as foundations for Math and Science through
construction block play in the Preschool years. Drawing on my knowledge as a
Registered Architect, I create fun and stimulating lessons for structured block
play lessons that teach the Preschool child spatial and early Math foundation
skills, as well as helps foster other important skills which studies show help
in later academic success -- and even career success. And who doesn't want to
give their child the best foundations possible for success in life?
The Montessori Method
by Georgette Naqui
This Early Childhood Program of Education was
developed in the early 1900s by Maria Montessori, an educator and the first
woman physician in Italy. Based upon her deep Catholic faith and personal beliefs
which stress the dignity of each individual child, the system’s philosophy culminated
in the lofty belief that education of the child ultimately translates into the
development of world peace. At the end of her life, she gave a number of lectures and
addresses on the subject, saying in 1936,
‘Preventing
conflicts is the work of politics; establishing peace is the work of
education.’” (Montessori, Maria (1992). Education and
Peace. Oxford: ANC-Clio. pp. 24.)
The Montessori Method consists of a prepared
environment which emphasizes practical life and employs its core “sensory
materials” which encourage active learning, the key to the Montessori Method. These materials are designed to facilitate
children’s learning through their senses and include a variety of touch and
sight materials such as blocks and cups which vary in color, size and texture.
The sense of sound is addressed through such items as tonal bells and sound
boxes. The sense of smell is evoked in items such as “smelling jars”.
Academic materials are employed for the skills of
writing, reading and mathematics. These include pencils, crayons, paper, as
well as “Math manipulatives” that demonstrate concepts such as one-to-one
correspondence, counting, addition and subtraction. Other academic materials
include maps, puzzles, cards, posters, and musical instruments.
The Montessori Method features a mixed age
grouping, which more closely mimics “real life” situations of family,
marketplace and workplace, as opposed to the all-one-age groups of traditional
schooling methods. Children learn to interact with others of different ages, cultivating
respect, patience, manners and thoughtfulness. This may encourage student-to-student
collaboration to naturally emerge such as mentoring and student-led tutoring.
The children are free to move at their own rate of
learning. This fosters self-direction as the child is allowed to choose activities
of participation, exploring what interests and fascinates him. Teachers act as facilitators as they observe,
assess and take keen note of the child’s interests and activities and build
upon them, so she may incorporate, guide and direct these interests into the
goals of the integrated curriculum, for individualized instruction. The
curriculum acts as a framework and it is age- and developmentally-appropriate
for each child.
The Jet Sets Kids program is an eclectic one in
which I have incorporated many of the principles of the Montessori Method including
the controlled environment, the individualized child-led learning, and the
“framework” curriculum of the Montessori Method, while employing other proven
curriculums such as “Writing Road to Reading” which teaches young children the
foundations of writing and reading through all the senses: "see, say, hear, write". I used it to teach my own daughter when I home schooled her many years ago. The superb writing skills she gained from this program helped make her the successful college student she is today.
Controlled and
directed construction blocks are also a big part of my program, as studies have
proven that children gain the greatest number of life-skills as well as
foundations for Math and Science through construction block play in the
Preschool years. Drawing on my knowledge as a Registered Architect, I create fun and stimulating lessons for structured block play lessons that teach the Preschool child spatial and early Math foundation skills, as well as helps foster other important skills which studies show help in later academic success -- and even career success. And who doesn't want to give their child the best foundations possible for success in life?