After getting ready in the cubby room, a teacher greets each child before entering the classroom. Children are free to choose materials to engage with. A teacher may invite one child or a small group of children to a lesson. Children may also observe the work of others. Through practice, children follow the routines of the classroom, putting materials away before taking out something new. Children may meet at circle time to sing a song, have a brief lesson, or just come together to spend time with their community of friends. From circle, a teacher dismisses children to get ready for an hour of play outside before going home.

The Montessori model relies on children of different ages working within the same environment. The multi-age classroom provides the foundation for a collaborative community. Children teach each other, which helps them develop empathy and patience. By helping one another, children gain independence. Older children become leaders in the classroom which builds their confidence.

Within a Montessori classroom, children have freedom within limits. Children are free to make choices to engage in purposeful activities in a carefully prepared environment. Teachers give children step-by-step lessons to teach the purpose of each activity. If a child uses a material inappropriately or is destructive in some way, a teacher gently redirects the child to work that is more appropriate and better meets the child’s needs.

Children who attend Amesbury Montessori for a full day (8:15-3pm) deepen their relationship with their community. After extra time outside, lunch, cooperative care of the environment, and rest, children have an opportunity to continue practice with materials, engage in extension work, or take nature walks in the Town Park. Children who stay a full day learn routines quickly and take an elevated ownership of their classroom.

Not every child is ready to participate in a full day. The Director will help you figure out whether a half-or full-day option is best for your child.

Absolutely not. We honor and respect each child’s timetable in learning to independently use the toilet. Some children may have a toilet learning delay due to a learning or developmental challenge, and according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, we cannot deny a child access to preschool if this is the case, nor would we.

Our lead teachers have training and/or experience in Montessori Toddler classrooms. We are fully equipped to guide any child along their toilet learning path. If we pressure parents to “train” their children, parents may expect their child can do something their body is not ready to do. This can be very confusing to children and will most likely make toilet learning more difficult and prolonged. With patience, time, and the appropriate guidance, children who do not face prohibitive physical or neurological challenges will learn to independently use the toilet.