COLM CILLE CLUB
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
MONTESSORI ROOM
"Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society." ~Maria Montessori
Montessori Primary education is an integrated, holistic approach that is designed to help each child reach his or her full potential. Children aged 2 ½ to 6+ are sensorial explorers, forming their intellects by absorbing their environment, their language and their culture. The Primary Classroom provides a prepared environment that allows the child to respond to their natural tendency to work.
CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Beginning at age three, children begin their formal catechesis and enter our Level I Atrium, a beautiful space designed specially to meet the spiritual needs of the child. Three years later, their Catechesis continues in the Level 2 Atrium. Atrium classes are led by our certified Catechists. In Level 1, ages 3-6, the controlling image is Christ the Good Shepherd who loves his sheep and gives everything he is for them. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep and calls them by their name. The child comes to discover who the Shepherd is and who the sheep are. What stands behind all this is the first moment of
the covenant, the moment of gift. Level 1 stays focused on the moment of gift with the aim of children coming to a deep enjoyment of it. The enjoyment of the gift of God's own self to the child is the foundation of further religious insight and moral development.
For more information on our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, please click here.
MUSIC TOGETHER
Babies and toddlers up to age three participate in a "Mommy and Me" class using the Music Together curriculum. Music Together includes a CD that provides a fun way for children to develop their musical skills at home. The goal is to develop rhythmic and tonal competence. Developing these skills at an early age provides an excellent foundation for further music study and enjoyment of music. Parental involvement in class and listening to the CD at home are crucial in determining how much children will get out of our class time together.
Children ages three and four explore rhythm and movement as they continue their music education in their own class. Dancing with scarves, tip-toeing to Tchaikovsky, and harmonizing with bells are all part of the fun with this lively group. Best of all, everyone gets their own name song!