Mind – Being
Courage Curiosity Choice
Our enrichment program for the Mind provides all the benefits embedded in the Montessori Curriculum with:
• Science classes
• Movement and Mindfulness
• Guided Meditation
• Environmental awareness and sustainability
• Brain Gym
• Yoga
• Play
• Art
Our educational leaders have undertaken AMI Montessori training and we offer an authentic Montessori program - which enhances children’s concentration, focus, cognitive development, wellness and wellbeing. Our staff also have degrees in Early Childhood Education and plan individual programs for children based on observation and reflection.
Children are encouraged to move between our indoor and outdoor learning environments to play and work with a choice of many ‘hands-on’ activities. Concentration is enhanced as each child interacts with these thoughtfully prepared activities which are presented in the most attractive way.
Children develop the ability to focus and concentrate in this environment and show great confidence and independence. Problem solving is enhanced in ‘Tool School’ while making decisions regarding constructions and developing dexterity and fine motor skills while building small projects with wood.
Our weekly science shows are interactive and explore a different concept each week. Children are given ‘hands on’ experiences with real materials while investigating real problems through experimentation as well as daily explorations of our science shelves.
Our Montessori curriculum not only addresses cognitive development but also social and emotional learning (SEL). This is defined by CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) as “the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Self regulation and resilience are promoted through movement and mindfulness. Brain Gym, Yoga and Meditation are interwoven with the day’s routine and provide the children with a heightened awareness of their bodies and minds. During these lessons children have the time to think about emotions and discuss how their brains react to the world around them. They are given tools to help them cope with stress, change and transition.
Yoga is experienced in small and large groups or individually whenever a child decides to practise. Children are encouraged to engage with these exercises spontaneously using visual cues provided within the environment. Self awareness and self management are promoted throughout the curriculum.
Art is a wonderful medium for children to express themselves through drawing, painting, collage or clay. This is often a sensory exploration and inspires some quieter children to feel more comfortable using art is a means of communication before they can do so in words. Our educators love to explore various mediums with the children each day and to discuss famous paintings and artists throughout history.
Children may also decide to just ‘be’ - to experience nature through their senses - to listen to the birds, to see the trees, to smell the sea, to feel the mud and to taste produce from our garden. We encourage them to respect the Earth and to see themselves as caretakers of their world with the potential to initiate change. Our environmental awareness and sustainability program reinforces this belief.
Play is an integral part of our MIND enrichment program. Play “is a context for learning that:
• Allows for the expression of personality and uniqueness
• Enhances dispositions such as curiosity and creativity
• Enables children to make connections between prior experiences and new learning
• Assists children to develop relationships and concepts
• Stimulates a sense of wellbeing.
