Learn And Play® Montessori School
Toddler, Preschool, Prek, Kindergarten and After School Programs
Enroll Now New Hercules Campus New San Carlos Campus
Learn And Play Montessori School, a top provider of early education services in the San Francisco Bay Area, offers enriching programs that will get your child ahead of their educational journey. Our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Program helps prepare our students for a seamless transition to kindergarten by combining our Montessori philosophy with the traditional approach to education. [Read more…] about Transitional Kindergarten: The Montessori Way
Maria Montessori created multiple tools to aid a child’s journey in learning how to write. The Montessori materials used for language development tie in with hands-on lessons that give the building blocks needed to ultimately give a child the ability to write comfortably on their own. Practicing how to write outside of the classroom is just as important as practice makes perfect! [Read more…] about Practicing Writing at Home: The Montessori Method
A new year can offer a clean slate! Our team is ecstatic to have a clean slate for 2025, a year to fill with new memories, accomplishments, and adventures with our kids from daycare / childcare, to preschool, to kindergarten and beyond. Most of all, we are grateful to continue opening our doors to new and returning students, as we highly cherish the the opportunity to share the Montessori + STEM methodology with kids and parents. [Read more…] about Stepping Into a New Year of New Opportunity
At Learn And Play® Montessori School, our philosophy reflects the Montessori approach, which emphasizes hands-on learning and fostering independence. It’s important for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom, and engaging in Montessori-inspired activities at home can be incredibly beneficial. Homemade activities are a wonderful way to keep children engaged during weekends or school breaks, especially during the holiday season. Here are three simple, Montessori-inspired activities you can create at home to keep your child’s learning journey active and enjoyable. [Read more…] about Creating Montessori Activities at Home
In today’s advancing society, cultures are constantly intertwining with one another. Here in California, the use of Spanish is becoming more present in our daily lives. Being bilingual is becoming a critical skill that allows people to have a significant advantage. Research shows that being bilingual causes cognitive benefits such as enhancing a person’s ability to solve problems and improving cultural awareness. This is particularly important for young learners, as the foundations of language development are laid in early childhood. [Read more…] about LAPMS Spanish Curriculum: The Advantage of Being Bilingual
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.
