Learn And Play® Montessori School
Toddler, Preschool, Prek, Kindergarten and After School Programs
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At Learn And Play® Montessori School, our goal is to give each child the individualized attention needed to learn, discover, and develop core values. Our Montessori-inspired curriculum focused on STEM is designed to build well-rounded individuals both academically and personally. LAPMS prides itself in providing quality education, however, we recognize the financial considerations many families make when choosing a school for their child. [Read more…] about LAPMS Financial Aid: Subsidy Programs
Although it may not seem like it on the surface, when children are playing, they are learning profoundly. Mindful playing invites children to connect with the activity at hand. Whether it be playing with Legos, sculpting with Play-Doh, or creating art, play can be a practice that nurtures creativity, focus, and of course joy! Throughout our Montessori-inspired programs, whether at our Irvington, Sunnyvale, Hercules or other Bay Area campuses, we encourage “mindfulness” among the children, and a calm patience-centered learning experience. [Read more…] about Mindful Playing: Stimulating Activities for Your Child
Although it may seem like winter entails being restricted to the indoors, various activities are fun for children to enjoy with you during the cold winter season. Obviously, in our campuses we use the Montessori method, and use Montessori-inspired methods to encourage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning experiences. Parents often ask us how they can encourage learning experiences at home, especially as we approach the Winter Break. Remember: learning is a lifelong process!
Here are eight unique enjoyable activities you can do together:
Science Experiment: Crystal Snowflakes
Turn your home into a science lab with this hands-on science experiment! Growing salt crystal snowflakes does take a couple of days to take shape, but the result is worth the wait. For supplies, you will need table salt, hot water, a measuring cup and spoon, paper, and a tray or dish to keep your snowflakes in. Simply cut paper into a snowflake design and add the salt solution –a mixture of hot water and salt. Make sure to pour over the whole design, set it aside, and wait for your crystals to grow!
Seasonal Art Projects: Decorating Gingerbread
Arts and crafts are fun for children to get creative and practice fine motor skills. You only need paper, coloring pencils, and imagination in this activity! Create a gingerbread outline out of paper and let your child get creative in decorating. Whether it be using leftover construction paper or crayons and markers, this activity allows children to have fun while using their artistic abilities to create something new.
Learning How to Put on Winter Gear
Learning how to properly put on a sweater was a focus throughout our November curriculum. Knowing how to perform practical life skills builds a child’s confidence to be independent and take the initiative to accomplish tasks alone. This winter season, challenge your little ones to put on their coats on their own.
Baking Treats
Practical life skills are practiced year-round at LAPMS. Teaching our students how to carry a tray, pour liquid, use a whisk, and set the table are some prime focuses in our Montessori practical life curriculum. Baking goods always seem to be extra special during the winter holiday season –allow your children to help bake cookies and see how well they can assist with these tasks.
Montessori Activity: Tong Transfer
The Montessori tong transfer activity is a fun way for children to practice their fine motor skills. This engaging exercise uses 1 set of tongs, 2 bowls, and cotton balls. At our schools, we like to add some excitement to this activity by telling our students that cotton balls are snowballs! The objective of this activity is to use the tongs to transfer the snowballs from one bowl to another.
Seasonal Art Projects: Creating a Snowman
Put your cotton balls to use again with this art project! On a piece of paper have your little one glue cotton balls together to create a 3-D snowman! Use paper to complete the rest of your snowman’s decorations or be extra creative and find little twigs or rocks for the snowman’s hands and eyes!
Nature Walks
Nature walks are great for getting fresh air, looking around, and noticing wildlife around you. With your child, you can point out how trees look like during this time of the year versus during the summer. You may notice more deer on your nature walks -or- the absence of certain wildlife.
Winter Storytime
For the days when the outdoors is too gloomy, you can lead your little one into a world of wonder by reading to them. With the countless children’s books that are published with many adventures to be had indoors!
Montessori mats play a vital role in early childhood education, particularly in Montessori classrooms. These soft surfaces are more than just a decorative addition; they create designated workspaces that foster independence, encourage gross motor skills, and provide a structured yet flexible learning environment.
Designated Workspaces
Montessori mats clearly delineate personal work areas for children, allowing them to engage in activities without distractions. When a child chooses their mat, it
automatically becomes their workspace for the assignment. This setup promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility, as children learn to care for their space and materials. Furthermore, having designated areas helps minimize disruptions in the classroom, fostering a calm and focused learning environment.
Development of Gross Motor Skills
Using Montessori mats also supports the development of gross motor skills. Activities on the mats often involve movement, such as rolling, crawling, and transitioning between different positions. These physical interactions not only enhance coordination and balance but also encourage children to explore their bodies in a safe and supportive environment. For instance, children may practice yoga or engage in sensory activities, further refining their motor skills through play.
Freedom Within Limits
One of the core principles of Montessori education is the balance of freedom and structure, Maria Montessori believed in a child’s ability to ignite their own desire to learn. Mats offer children the freedom to choose their activities while still maintaining a sense of order. Within the boundaries of their mat, children can select from various materials and tasks, promoting autonomy and decision-making skills. This freedom is crucial for fostering deep-rooted motivation, as children feel empowered to pursue their interests while understanding the limits of their designated space.
Conclusion
Montessori mats are more than simple classroom accessories; they serve as foundational tools in Montessori philosophy. By providing designated workspaces, promoting gross motor skill development, and offering freedom within a structured environment, these mats contribute significantly to a child’s overall growth and learning. As children interact with their mats and the activities in our curriculum, they cultivate essential skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.
As a parent, we want the best preschool experience for our children. Well, what happens then at a Montessori-based Preschool Program? Here’s a breakdown of our daily schedule, providing insight into the enriching activities designed to foster growth and learning.
Montessori Morning Circle: A Warm Welcome
Each day begins with our Greeting Morning Circle. Here, students walk along the blue line, a fun way to develop large motor development and focus. We gather to go over the calendar, discussing days of the week and weather, which helps build their understanding of time and seasons. This circle time also includes Montessori presentations, where teachers introduce engaging activities that spark curiosity and encourage independent exploration. 
Snack Time: Nourishing Body and Mind
Following our morning circle, it’s time for a snack. This moment not only refuels our students but also offers a chance to practice social skills. Sharing snacks and conversing with peers promotes a sense of community and enhances their communication abilities.
Montessori Work Time: Hands-On Learning
Around 9:30 AM, we transition into Montessori Work Time. During this period, children explore essential concepts like shapes, colors, numbers, sounds, and language through hands-on activities. Each child selects materials that interest them, promoting autonomy and a love for learning.
Outdoor Play: The Importance of Movement
After focused work, we enjoy 30 minutes of outdoor time. Play is crucial for child development, allowing them to engage in physical activity, explore nature, and interact with peers. Whether they’re running, climbing, or playing games, this time is filled with energy and joy!
Transition Time: Songs and Stories
Next, as we prepare to move indoors, we focus on handwashing to promote self-care and hygiene. This transition is
accompanied by songs and stories, reinforcing literacy and listening skills in a fun, engaging way.
Lunch and Nap Time: Rest and Rejuvenation
After our singing session, it’s time for lunch. Eating together encourages healthy habits and social interactions. Following lunch, children settle down for nap time, which is vital for their growth and rejuvenation, helping them recharge for the rest of the day.
Afternoon Learning: Spanish and Cultural Studies
Upon waking, we dive into Spanish and cultural studies. This exposure fosters a sense of diversity and broadens their understanding of the world around them. Learning basic Spanish vocabulary through songs and activities makes this experience enjoyable and memorable.
STEM Enrichment: Exploring Science and Math
Next, we shift gears with our STEM enrichment program. This hands-on experience encourages problem-solving and critical thinking as children engage in activities related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our curriculum has many science experiments embedded in the schedule which our students enjoy participating in. 
Snack Time and Outdoor Play: Active Exploration
After STEM, we have another snack followed by more outdoor play. During this time, we focus on physical activities that promote gross motor skills, such as running, riding bicycles, and bouncing balls. This active play is crucial for developing strength, coordination, and confidence.
Tea Time: Grace and Courtesy
As the day winds down, we gather for tea time, where we practice our grace and courtesy skills. This essential component of our curriculum teaches children about respect, sharing, and polite interactions, reinforcing the values of kindness and community.
Closing with Music and Movement
We conclude our day with music and movement. This fun activity allows children to express themselves creatively while enhancing their gross motor skills. It’s a joyful way to wrap up a busy day of learning and exploration!
As a parent at Learn And Play Montessori School, we believe you should have access to many tools that will lead to your child succeeding at LAPMS. We believe in community and fostering connections—not just between students and teachers, but also among families. That’s why we’re excited to introduce LearnAndGo, our innovative carpool app designed specifically for our school community. It’s available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. [Read more…] about Learn And Play Carpool App: LearnAndGo
Learn And Play® Montessori School provides unique educational opportunities that differ from those offered by traditional schools. Our Montessori approach values self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play, while engaging the minds of our young lifelong learners. In this post, let’s discuss how we teach math the Montessori way, in age-appropriate, fun, and engaging ways. Montessori math materials allow our students to explore mathematical concepts in a way traditional education approaches may lack.
Spindle Boxes
For children three years old and younger, Spindle Boxes are an effective tool in teaching basic math concepts such as counting, number recognition, place value, and the value of zero. The box consists of compartments labeled zero to nine and is accompanied by a separate container that stores forty-five wooden spindles. The student must fill each compartment with the appropriate number of spindles. This visual allows our students to see that numbers can represent quantities. For children younger than three years old, fine motor skills are developing with this exercise. Following our philosophy, children can independently work on this hands-on task.
Number Rods with Numeral Cards
Playfully introducing complex ideas allows the child to find discovering mathematical curriculum exciting. Montessori number rods come in a set of ten and are divided into equally sized red and blue sections allowing students to visually see the rod getting larger as the number increases introducing the concept of measurement. Adding numeral place cards to this activity teaches the child to associate the number symbols with the physical quantity. Depending on the student’s level of mastery, the teacher may assign different activities using these materials.
Bead Stair
Another popular tool we use here at Learn And Play Montessori School is the bead stair. Sticking with the numbers one through nine, this instrument consists of nine segments of beads, each in a distinct color representing a number value. The first lesson instructed to our students with this tool is linear counting. Using the beads, the child can arrange each segment into a triangle by correctly counting one through nine. Following the Montessori Method, allowing the child to start this exercise on their own, gives the child the power to recognize if they made any errors by simply seeing if the triangle has been properly formed. Later in their academic journey, the students may use bead segments to assist them in multiplying numbers.
In preschool, physical education IS critical, as it helps establish healthy habits and encourages active lifestyles. Children at this age are naturally energetic and inquisitive, and structured physical activity can help channel that energy into motor skills, coordination, and balance. When children run, jump, and dance, they get the physical benefits of exercise along with confidence. Here at LAPMS throughout our campuses from Fremont to Danville, Hercules to Sunnyvale, and everywhere in between, our staff challenges our children physically, creatively, and collectively: from music and movement, dancing to yoga, outdoor and indoor activities! During play time, we have bicycles available for children to explore and play — allowing us to further help them with motor skills and just the fun of learning to ride bikes and trikes. [Read more…] about LAPMS Physical Education: Strengthening the mind and body
