Artgarden Montessori Children's House
Currently accepting applications for
Fall 2010.
For more information, please contact Cynthia Tench, Director.
cynthia@tench.com
(919) 942-1339
2010 - 2011 Tuition and Fees
Education is the unfolding of the abilities a child possesses at birth.
The Artgarden Montessori Children's House provides an educational environment designed to develop independence and creativity in preschool age children. The school, a single classroom of 22 children, offers a traditional Montessori primary curriculum for ages 3 through 6 years. The basis for our curriculum is the presentation of the Montessori teaching materials in an attractive, well-ordered classroom where our directress and her assistant act as guides for the students. The children, motivated by the work itself, develop self-reliance, concentration and enthusiasm for learning.
Dr. Maria Montessori formulated her educational philosophy in the early 20th century through her work as a medical doctor. As a scientist, she considered her classroom to be a laboratory for testing the validity of her ideas through careful observation of her students. The respect for the child that this method implies is the foundation of Montessori education.
Montessori believed that information received and classified by the five senses forms the framework of the intellect. Her materials are designed to encourage the careful, thorough exploration of the child's physical world. Mastery of these physical tasks leads to subsequent mastery of more abstract concepts.
In the Montessori classroom, the child is free to choose his own task from the materials deemed appropriate to his level of development. He may work at this own pace and rhythm, continuing any constructive activity for as long as he wishes. Grouping the children of different ages together encourages them both to ask for help from one another and to give it willingly.
The Artgarden Curriculum centers on the following five areas:
1. Practical Life
These exercises develop eye-hand
coordination and give the child mastery of her daily needs. She learns to pour
without spilling, to dress herself, to keep her materials in order and to
respect her own work and that of others.
2. Sensorial
Sensorial materials help a child to
discriminate various colors, shapes, sounds, tastes and smells which, in turn,
provide him with accurate, precise perceptions about his world.
3. Language
Language exercises and games help the child
to understand the link between written symbols and their sounds and to,
ultimately, use phonetics for reading and writing.
4. Mathematics
These materials begin with the physical
demonstration of quantitative concepts such as length, width or thickness. Later
the child learns geometric shapes and begins to use abstract symbols for
quantities and to conceptualize mathematical calculation.
5. Cultural
These materials provide the basis for
geography, natural and social science and the arts. Field trips, caring for
living plants and animals and special days for learning about the customs from
other countries help establish connections between the child and the world
beyond her classroom and home.
The goal of early education should be the cultivation of the child's own natural desire to learn.
Enrollment
The Artgarden accepts applications year
round. Acceptance decisions are based on the readiness of the applicants to work
with the Montessori materials and on the necessity of balancing our classroom in
terms of the ages and genders of the students. Decisions are made by March for
the fall semester. If there are places available after this registration period,
we will continue to interview applicants.
Families interested in the Artgarden are encouraged to observe the classroom before making formal application to the school. Observations may be scheduled by appointment.
The Artgarden is owned and administered by the Ballet School of Chapel Hill and is housed in a specially designed space within the Ballet School facility.
Classroom Hours
Mornings Only Program for Ages 3 & 4:
8:45 - 11:45am Monday through Friday
Extended Day Program for Ages 5 & 6
(with the recommendation of the directress): 8:45am - 2pm Monday through
Thursday, 8:45 - 11:45am Friday
For more information, please contact Cynthia Tench, Director.
(919) 942-1339
For schedule and form printing:
