Casa Program

The Casa environment is a child’s world, focusing on the size, pace and interests of children between the ages of three and six. Our Montessori Casa program is a unique cycle of learning designed to take advantage of the child’s sensitive years when he can effortlessly absorb information from an enriched classroom environment. The classroom (indoors and outdoors) is a prepared environment for the child’s unique aptitude for learning.

 

About the Casa Program

The Casa Program provides students with a firm foundation for all further learning. Classrooms have inviting hands-on materials in the areas of language, mathematics, sensorial, practical life, geography, cultural, science and French. By manipulating materials, children start their understanding of concepts in these areas with a firm concrete base. By providing freedom within limits, children are allowed to work individually at their own pace and develop a self-motivated love of learning. Self-discovery materials help develop a mind that can independently solve problems and think critically. A love of learning results which prepares the child for a lifetime of education.

The Casa Classroom

The Casa classroom is divided into five different areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Culture- geography, botany, zoology, science. Within these areas, the materials are logically organized from simple idea to the complex, and from concrete to the abstract. Each area has hands-on materials which are geometrically shaped, simply designed, aesthetic, and suitable for small hands. Interaction with these high-quality materials rewards the child with a range of sensorial experiences.

Practical Life

The Practical Life activities includes: care of the environment, care of the self, lessons in grace and courtesy and movement. The children prepare snacks, scrub tables, learn how to buckle, snap, tie, zip, pour liquids, water plants, and, in general, take care of themselves, their environment, and each other. The Practical Life exercises appeal to the child’s natural desire for independence and order at this age. These exercises also allow for the child to develop the concentration, coordination, logical thought and orderly work habits necessary for the advanced exercises the child will perform at four and a half to six years of age.

Sensorial

The aim of the Sensorial exercise is the education and refinement of the senses- visual, tactile, auditory, taste, smell and spatial relationships. We have an extensive number of sensorial materials that help to enhance the child’s understanding of his or her physical environment through manipulation of materials which isolate certain aspects of that environment.

Language

The Language materials are a natural progression of the Practical Life and Sensorial exercises. They Language exercises enrich and enhance the already existing vocabulary within the child and prepare them for writing and reading. Young children learn through movement, and the sandpaper letters help them learn the phonetic sounds of the alphabet not only through sight but through touch. Reading and writing are complex skills which are built upon all the experiences of the young child and which usually occur naturally and spontaneously in the Montessori environment. French is also included in the Language program.

Math

The Math exercises are designed to provide children with basic mathematical concepts. The mathematical exercises are designed to provide the child with basic concepts first- starting at a concrete level, leading the child to abstraction. The use of manipulative materials enables the child to internalize concepts of numbers, symbols, sequence, operations, and memorization of basic facts.

Culture

The Cultural exercises encompass the previous four areas of learning and provide a further enrichment of knowledge for the children. Areas of study include: Geography, History, Biology (Botany and Zoology), Science, Music, and Art are explored.

The entire Casa program is purposefully structured. Although Montessori benefits each child, optimum results cannot be expected for a child who misses the early years of the cycle, or for one who is withdrawn before finishing the cycle of materials described.

Objectives of the Casa Program

Independence

Children are able to choose their own work, become engaged, construct their knowledge and complete it to their satisfaction.  Guidance is given and children are able to seek help when necessary.

Confidence and Competence

The children upon observation, reflection, and/or discussion, should be capable of correcting their own work.  They should be able to manage the various materials with a clear sense of purpose, leading them to further understanding.

Intrinsic Motivation

Children are able to work for the pleasure of doing so, without rewards or fear.  Children routinely demonstrate newly achieved competencies to one another.

Global Awareness

The children are encouraged to develop qualities of citizenship and stewardship through an understanding and respect for cultural diversity and environmental awareness.

Social Responsibility & Leadership

Children demonstrate social responsibility and leadership skills, such as empathy, communication, initiative and resiliency.

Spontaneity and Joy

The teacher nourishes and encourages spontaneity and expressions of the joy of learning.

Academic Preparation

Children are acquiring academic skills appropriate to their age and stage, their interests, their abilities, potential and achieving individualized success.

Respect

There are opportunities to develop and practice the qualities of peace and conflict resolution in their interactions with others.

Approachability

The children approach the teacher with ease and confidence, reflecting a personal connection and a sense of security.

Recordkeeping of Children’s Progress

The teacher shows an understanding of children’s progress and keeps clear and adequate records, as a continuous form of assessment.

Role Modeling

The teacher reflects the essential qualities of respect, order, enjoyment and engagement.

Ability to Handle External Authority

Children should be able to manage the classroom rules that have been established.  They should demonstrate a level of discipline with or without the direction and correction of an adult.

Enrollment Process

At Waterdown Montessori, our Admissions Process is designed to help parents understand what is involved in the Montessori program, and ensure that parents are educated about this philosophy of education before registration.

School Tour
Observation
Registration

School Tour

Coming into the School for a visit and an optional observation is the first step in our admission process.  Please contact the front office at 905-689-2171 to schedule your personal tour. This serves as a great opportunity to visit our campus, observe in our classrooms, meet the teachers, and learn more about our programs and the enrollment process.

Observation

As part of your visit, you have the option to observe for 20-minutes in one of our classrooms. It is recommended that your child(ren) do not accompany you for your observation.

During your observation, you will experience first hand what a Montessori environment feels like and you will notice:

  • how calm the environment is…
  • deep levels of engagement and concentration…
  • children initiating work on their own…
  • the role of the teacher as a guide and how s/he interacts with the teacher…
  • a sense of community in the classroom…

Following your observation, an opportunity to discuss your own observations and questions will take place.

Registration

After your visit and observation, we welcome you to submit a completed application together with the non-refundable application fee. Kindly note that application submission does not guarantee enrollment as we receive more applications than spots available.

A Montessori education is most effective as a three-year cycle and in a classroom community with a balanced ratio of ages and gender. Our admission process, therefore, takes into consideration the long-term educational goals of the parents as well as the balance required in the classroom.

Final placement decisions will be made by the Head of School with input from parents, teachers, and records. Interviews and classroom visits by the student and parents may be required before a final enrollment decision is made. The Head of School’s decision will be based on the needs of the child individually and as part of the classroom community.

Contact Us!

We welcome the opportunity to answer your questions and show you our classrooms of actively engaged learners.