The 3–6 Preschool Class

The Needs of the Child

The period between 3 and 6 years old is a foundational stage in a child’s life. They build their self-confidence and independence. By age 3, they have already unconsciously acquired numerous skills (movement, language). They think through action. They have a strong need to do things by themselves and must learn to construct their own personality. This is why individual tables are arranged in the classroom so that each child can concentrate alone on their activity. The educators will of course also offer group activities and gathering times where children can interact together.

The need to move is also a natural physiological need. We have therefore chosen to provide children with spacious classrooms so they can move about easily and alternate their working positions: sitting on a chair (sized to their height so their feet touch the ground, fostering concentration) or on the floor on a mat. The 1,000 m² playground allows children to run, ride balance bikes, and have fun. Outings to parc Montcalm are organized regularly so that children can engage in physical activities on the various sports fields and strengthen their connection with nature (collecting litter, observing nature, identifying different tree species, recognizing the parts of a leaf or a flower…).

The Environment

The classroom environment must be:

• orderly, allowing the child to find their way around and easily locate the activity they wish to do.
• reassuring for the child so they know what they can and cannot do. The structure provides the boundary.
• carefully maintained and kept neat throughout the day to encourage purposeful activity.
• composed of a limited quantity of materials, with only one of each kind, to foster independence and patience.

The Role of the Educator

Montessori pedagogy is individualized and active. To support this, the adult observes each child to understand where they are in their development, what captures their interest, and adjusts their guidance accordingly. They help the child engage with an activity and present it individually using the three-period lesson. Once the activity has been presented, the child can choose it independently and repeat it as many times as they wish. The educator allows the child to work independently, giving them the opportunity to exercise and develop their initiative and decision-making skills.

Their role is also to prepare, maintain, and sustain the prepared environment: no material should be broken, damaged, or dirty. They also play an essential role as a mediator between the child and the group.

The Activities Offered

All our classes are bilingual; presentations given to the children are conducted in both French and English.

Work is a structuring activity with a defined purpose. This activity must involve movement to enable concentration. As a natural result of deep concentration, a sense of social belonging and joy emerge.

The first path a child must discover is concentration through:

• free choice of activities
• repetition of the exercise
• respect for their individual pace
• movement that has a purposeful goal

Montessori Activities

The activities offered foster the child’s independence, provide concrete experiences through precise sensorial materials, and help enrich their vocabulary and spoken expression. Children are also introduced to art, music, science, and geography.

Activities are organized by area (practical life, language, mathematics, sensorial) and by level of difficulty.

Here are examples of Montessori activities available in the preschool class: