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Media Children's House offers three distinct programs:
Young Community
The Young Community caters to children eighteen months to three years old. Our Young Community can be found in the Rose Room. Students are introduced to the Montessori environment in this close knit society. This program guides the child to develop independence, completion of task, hands-on exploration and offers a great deal of social interaction. When the child is ready, academically and socially, they will enter the Primary Program.
Primary
The Primary Program is prepared for the child ages three to six. MCH offers two primary classrooms. The child will remain with the same teacher for three years (through kindergarten).Goals of this program strive to meet the following objectives: sense of organization, completion of task, gross and fine motor development, left to right progression, top to bottom progression, hands-on experience, and sensory experience. Each primary class offers study in: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Studies. Each child is encouraged to explore the environment and works at his/her own pace.
Elementary
The Elementary Program accommodates children in grades first through fifth. Children enrolled in the elementary program "learn how to learn" and develop a true love for learning. The Montessori classroom engages the student and offers a vigorous and challenging curriculum. Each student is encouraged to follow his own interests and learn at his own pace. Children learn through research, independent learning and group activity. A wide variety of subject matter is covered including: history, geometry, geography, chemistry, physics, botany, zoology, music and the arts.
Although there are separate classrooms, the children at MCH intermingle and socialize a great deal. A mentoring program has been established where older children instruct and provide lessons for the younger children. The younger children are also invited to periodically participate in the advanced classrooms. Thus, a strong sense of community has been established.
Description of the Young Community & Primary Classroom Areas:
Practical Life
These exercises are the foundation of the Montessori environment. This area provides a range of activities which allow the child to develop control and coordination, awareness of their environment, independent work habits and responsibility through purposeful work. These exercises include such topics as: care of the environment, courtesy, care of the person and movement. The child will perform tasks such as tying shoelaces, zipping, buckling, polishing, folding and pouring and using such materials as the "Dressing Frame". All of the Montessori materials are adapted to a child's size.
Sensorial Area
The Sensorial Materials lay a solid foundation for Mathematics, Geometry, Geography, Botany, Art and Music. The children will sort objects, such as the "Blue Cylinders", by size, touch, color, weight, sound and temperature and grade from dark to light and small to large. These objects allow the child to classify sensorial impressions in an orderly and scientific manner. Since these materials allow for individual work and repetition, it makes it possible for the child to abstract the concept made concrete in each piece of material, to name it and then to apply it to the environment.
Language Area
In this area, the child will work with such things as the: "sandpaper letters"; which gives them the shape of the letters, the "Moveable Alphabet" ; which allow them to arrange the letters into words and the "Metal Insets"; which make it possible for the child to control a writing instrument. These instruments provide ease and interest in learning language.
Mathematics
The math materials are simple, yet intelligent. They give the child a sensorial experience of the abstraction that is mathematics, allowing them to store concepts so that when the time comes to deal in abstract terms, the understanding is already there. The child will perform such tasks as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Cultural Studies
In this area, the child will learn geography, science, social studies, maps, globes and about different cultures throughout the world. This program will develop from simple to complex and concrete to abstract, as does all Montessori education. The child will study the earth focusing on the prehistoric era, solar system, and the structure of the earth. It will then lead to land and water forms, followed by a study of individual countries leading to their town and themselves.
Other areas include:
The Library Corner
The aim for the library corner is to encourage a love for literature in a quiet atmosphere.
Peace Area
This area promotes peacefulness and problem solving techniques. If two children are having a problem, they go to this area to discuss it.
An "I Can" Problem Solve Program and character education guide the child to develop skills of decision making, tolerance, and social compassion.
Art Area
This area provides a variety of mediums for the children to create and explore.
Snack Area
Children learn self-help skills and coordination while enjoying a snack with a small group of friends. They serve themselves and clean up their area.
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