Montessori Program

Emergent Curriculum

What is an Emergent Curriculum?

Official Definition: In an emergent curriculum, teachers plan activities and projects based on the specific group of children they are working with, taking into account their skills, needs, and interests.

What it means Here: I run an Emergent curriculum home preschool program meaning that we spend a good amount of time getting to know each other at the beginning of the semester and from there, I determine the focus of the next few months' topics. We also spend as much time outside in nature as possible when the weather is appropriate. We do a short morning circle/story time, center time, snack time, tablework time, and rec room time. Here are some examples of what those times might look like.

Circle/Story Time

We read the story of the week and talk over the weekly focus wall elements including letter, number, color, shape, behavior/emotion, question, and Attribute of God of the week. We will also discuss the center time options for the day and whether or not we will be able to go outside that day.

Center Time:

Because we believe that play is the main way that children learn, the majority of our day is spent rotating centers. Children have the choice between one of our centers throughout the room at Center Time. Centers might include dramatic play, transportation, blocks, books/library, arts/crafts, rec room, and table work. Each center will have an element of the weekly theme associated with it. For example, crafts will be related to the book of the week, the blocks center will have a sign that shows children how to build something from the book, and the rec room or outside center will have a gross motor activity based on the book of the week, etc.

Snack Time:

Snacks consist of two of the following elements: a grain, a fruit, or a protein. One snack each week will be themed based on the book of the week. Helping prepare this special snack might be a part of the extra hour of instruction for 4-5-year-olds as well.

Tablework Time:

Table work is not the main method of teaching but is an option during center time for children to do a skills worksheet with an adult based on the book of the week. During Center time 4-5-year-old children are given the option of more advanced tasks to do than the 2-3 year olds such as cutting, pasting, tracing, and beginning to write if they are able to but they are never forced to do so.

Arts/Crafts Time:

Like Tablework time, arts and crafts are not required but children are invited to participate in an art project during center time with the help of an adult.

Rec Room Time:

There is a separate playroom off the main playroom that is the rec room with gross motor equipment such as a slide, a trampoline, and a wooden playset with a climbing frame and swing. Children will have the opportunity to visit the rec room as a group with an adult during set times to promote safety while playing on the equipment and also to play games that are themed based on the book of the week. Recroom time might be instead of or in addition to outside time in cases of inclement weather.

Outside Time:

We try to spend as much time outside in nature as we can to encourage a love of nature when the weather is appropriate. As such parents are encouraged to send clean clothes for children in case they get dirty as getting dirty is part of good nature learning.

Homework???:

Absolutely not. Your child will never have homework from my program nor will they receive grades. I do however keep track of what your child does and doesn't know so that they are able to do well in a kindergarten environment.

Things That Make My Home a Unique Learning Environment:

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Disorders which is the first part of formal education you need to be a Speech Therapist. I have the qualifications to work in a school setting under the supervision of a licensed Speech Therapist. As a result of this, I work with the children in my care to encourage speech development and model correct speech in everyday life.

Some ways I do this are:

1) Talking to the children with proper grammar and pronunciation and not using baby talk with them.

2) Working on following 1-step, 2-step, 3-step, etc. directions.

3) Working on correct and understandable pronunciation by correctly modeling and instructing the children to observe my mouth while I am speaking if they are struggling.

CPR Certification:

I am CPR/AED/First Aid Trained for Infants, Pediatrics, and Adults. I also keep a full first aid kit including bleeding control kit in the preschool space at all times. Fire existiguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are kept in good working order at all times.

Note to all Parents/Caregivers: Please dress your children in play clothes or clothes that you don't mind if they get dirty because childhood is messy and with the Montessori method, we feel that sometimes getting messy is the most important part of learning and having fun. If for some reason you bring your child in clothing you don't want messy or dirty, please communicate that to me and I will dress them in a set of the Center's clothing that you will not be responsible for cleaning. Thank you!

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