Learn And Play® Montessori School
Toddler, Preschool, Prek, Kindergarten and After School Programs
Enroll Now New Hercules Campus New San Carlos Campus
Although we are sad to see 2024 go, we have plenty of memories and knowledge to look back on and cherish. This year was packed with fun hands-on activities that truly grasped the attention of our students and planted the seed for the love of learning. From January 2024 to now, there has been visible growth among all our students –and we don’t just mean height! [Read more…] about Looking back at 2024
Our Learn And Play methodology uses the educational “play-based” method. Following this philosophy, our students learn primarily through play and naturally develop a passion for learning. It is through this method that our students develop social skills, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and so much more. Our teachers guide our young learners by facilitating activities and demonstrating techniques. You can do the same thing with your children!
Here are four play-based activities you and your child can do together.
Playing with a ball:
This activity is not only engaging for children but involves motions such as throwing, kicking, and catching. These large movements help our growing students become familiarized with their body movements, practicing hand-eye coordination and grasping skills.
Magnetic tiles:
This interactive game combines playing with learning. Not only does it develop problem-solving skills, but it sharpens fine motor skills. Building these tiles involves precise movements that strengthen muscles in one’s hands and fingers. There is also a STEM and creativity component integrated into this activity –making it a perfect tool for enriching multiple areas of development at once.
Painting:
Arts and crafts are a fun way to introduce educational lessons while allowing children to express themselves creatively. Painting can be a sensory experience when using fingers to paint and familiarizes children with different colors. Science is also seen within this craft when children begin mixing colors! It is a perfect activity for all age groups.
Sensory bins:
Sensory play gets the five main senses activated which is crucial for development in the early years. There are countless ways to do this activity, but a LAPMS favorite is water sensory bins. Filling a plastic tub with water and then adding toys, scoops, funnels, and other safe objects for water play creates a fun activity that gets your child to splash, pour, and engage in imaginary play.
The play-based approach fosters critical skills that support a child’s cognitive, social, and physical development. This method allows our students to explore, showcase their creativity, and enhance problem-solving abilities through play. Our classroom hands-on activities improve our students’ communication skills as they learn to collaborate and work as a team. By engaging in meaningful play, children develop critical abilities that lay the foundation for lifelong learning and success, making it a highly beneficial approach to early childhood education.
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
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!
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
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
