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This program is aimed at children between the ages of two and five and is taught as a full immersion, German curriculum.
Using games, puppets, songs, rhymes, and small scenes, this course builds upon German speech patterns the children may apply to various settings they find meaningful. While the children will become more and more fluent in speaking the German language, they may also get prepared to enter an American Kindergarten, since letters, phonics, number etc. will also be taught in English at the VPK Programm (Voluntary Pre Kindergarten Programm) at our partner school. This optional english part of the curriculum is offert to children attending their pre kindergarten year at our school, the duration is 3 hours daily and it is free of charge.
The teaching principles of ‘Learning With Your Head, Heart, and Hands’ like those of ‘Learning With All Your Senses’ play a particularly important role for this age group. Our classroom is equipped with only educational materials and we are working according to the principles of the „Montessori Method“. The ‚Montessori Environment“ is quiet, respectful, and non-competitive. Children move freely and purposefully throughout the classroom choosing materials they wish to “learn” with, returning them to the shelf as found before moving on to new work.
Lessons are usually presented individually, with ample opportunities for group interaction during circle, music, art, and outdoor activities. Most lessons are independent from the language spoken and are wonderful instruments for a bilingual setting. |
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MONTESSORI |
TRADITIONAL |
emphasis on cognitive development |
emphasis on social development |
teacher has unobtrusive role in classroom |
teacher is center of classroom as "controller" |
environment and method encourage self-discipline |
teacher acts as primary enforcer of discipline |
mainly individual instruction; mixed age grouping |
mainly group instruction; same age grouping |
grouping encourages children to teach and help each other |
most teaching done by teacher |
child chooses own work |
curriculum structured for child |
child discovers own strategies through working with ‚Montessori lessons’ |
child is guided to learning strategies by teachers |
child works as long as he wishes on chosen project |
child generally allotted specific time for work |
child sets own learning pace |
instruction pace usually set by group norm |
child spots own errors from feedback of material |
if work is corrected, errors usually pointed out by teacher |
child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feelings of success |
learning is reinforced externally by repetition, rewards, and punishment |
multi-sensory materials for physical exploration |
few materials for sensory development |
organized program for learning care of self and environment (polish shoes, sink) |
no organized program for self-care instruction-left primarily to parents |
child works where chooses, moves around and talks at will (not disturbing others) |
child usually assigned own chair; required to participate, sit still and listen during group lessons |
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm |
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