Our Curriculum... ​

At Knowledge House, students enjoy working independently and cooperatively in a community classroom with other children age 2 ½ - 5 years of age. Each child has a unique learning experience and is allowed to work at their own pace and to work with materials that interest them. Through play, students explore new ideas and relationships which help to enrich learning and build self-confidence.
We utilize Montessori theory and materials to help nurture and develop learning skills such as: discovery, inquiry, problem-solving, oral-language, cooperation, persistence and creativity that will help children succeed in school and life. Montessori materials are hands-on and encourage active play and problem solving. The materials are self-correcting so that children can see if they have done the work correctly and if not can try to correct it on their own without having to wait for an adult to help them solve it. Activities are experienced throughout the year as part of the Montessori curriculum in the areas of: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Science, Geography, Music and Art, Peace & Grace/Courtesy. 

The Montessori Method is based on seven pillars of SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING which help children develop into creative, adaptable and self motivated learners. How children learn will stay with them indefinitely. They can learn to follow others, think for themselves, or wait to be told what to do. We want children to learn to think for themselves and we help them to figure out how they can learn things on their own without being told what to learn. 

SEVEN PILLARS OF SELF- DIRECTED LEARNING
1. INDEPENDENCE
2. RESPONSIBILITY
3. SELF-DISCIPLINE
4. LEADERSHIP
5. INITIATIVE
6. ACADEMICS
7. LIFE-LONG LEARNING

A Montessori school is often called a "children's house" because the school belongs to the children. Everything in the school is child sized  and prepared to help children succeed and build confidence in their abilities. 
While in school students are encouraged to:
  • do what they are able to do
  • take care of themselves
  • take care of others
while in their 'HOUSE". 
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Physical, Social & Academic Skills...

Our materials and activities are hands-on and play centered. They all have an academic or life purpose and provide a variety of experience for children to learn from. Preschoolers at Knowledge House are allowed to work at their own pace to develop and meet their individual needs while challenging themselves to problem solve and try new things as they are ready. 

Outdoor Activities...

We are very fortunate to be located on a half acre and have outdoor areas that include fruit trees, a garden and chickens and rabbits. Children have opportunities to feed the animals, plants seeds, bulbs and seedlings, pick berries, apples, pears,  and vegetables from our garden. We gather eggs and pull weeds to feed the bunnies and ourselves. We have made: dandelion cookies, applesauce, mashed potatoes, zucchini muffins and more. We use the hen's eggs and make hard boiled eggs and baked goods. We learn about seasons, growing, harvesting and preparing food.

Learning To Choose Nutritious Whole Foods for Healthy Snacks...

Children learn lifelong habits while they are young so it makes sense to teach them about nutritious snacks that build healthy bodies and minds. Students learn about healthy snack choices through preparing and eating a variety of nutrient dense unprocessed foods at snack time. Some of our snacks are grown in our garden and others are provided by us and parents.  Parents can volunteer to bring in healthy whole food snacks for their child to prepare for the class. On their snack day preschoolers work with others and a teacher to learn age appropriate skills to prepare food they have brought for their class. They learn to serve themselves, compost, recycle and wash up their table space and wash their own dishes.  

Whole food snacks are minimally processed, minimally packaged and as close to their natural state as possible: fruits and veggies, legumes, grains, eggs, dairy & seeds. Homemade foods made with minimal refined foods and free of unnecessary additives (colors, flavors...) are okay. An ingredient list must be provided as some children may have sensitivities or allergies to certain foods. We don't serve juices. Children have free access to serve themselves water throughout the day. 

In season, we will make snacks using plants from our garden such as: apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, dandelion, lemon balm, lavender, mint, and anything else we have been fortunate enough to grow.
"Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him the light which is called intelligence."  Maria Montessori