At Aster our early years classrooms are inspired by the Montessori approach. Our classrooms are prepared environments, developed to maximize learning and growth in a child centered way.
The success of our early years environments is due to our highly trained teachers who carefully arrange the classrooms that allow for independent movement and work; freedom of choice in work activities; and comforting lighting and soundscapes.
Our prepared environment allows for freedom of movement, freedom of choice during independent work blocks, and freedom to either interact socially, or take time to yourself. From the toddlers environment, students are encouraged to develop agency, and to seek out opportunities and resources. This freedom helps students develop positive relationships with “work,” which leads to motivated, independent learners
Our prepared environment allows for freedom of movement, freedom of choice during independent work blocks, and freedom to either interact socially, or take time to yourself. From the toddlers environment, students are encouraged to develop agency, and to seek out opportunities and resources. This freedom helps students develop positive relationships with “work,” which leads to motivated, independent learners
Beauty is a hallmark of our classrooms because it creates a sense of harmony, order, and comfort for students and teachers. Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, and our Montessori classrooms strive to deliver a calming beauty that can be enjoyed fully by the students of that classroom. Natural lighting and oxygen-producing plants are parts of many classrooms, which speaks to the next principle of the prepared environment as well. Warm lighting, pastel colors, and soft materials are often seen in our classrooms, creating a feeling of being at home, or at least, being in a comforting environment.
Beauty is a hallmark of our classrooms because it creates a sense of harmony, order, and comfort for students and teachers. Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, and our Montessori classrooms strive to deliver a calming beauty that can be enjoyed fully by the students of that classroom. Natural lighting and oxygen-producing plants are parts of many classrooms, which speaks to the next principle of the prepared environment as well. Warm lighting, pastel colors, and soft materials are often seen in our classrooms, creating a feeling of being at home, or at least, being in a comforting environment.
Being able to interact with the world around you is a hallmark of education at Aster from the earliest levels. Students are encouraged to interact with the natural environment outside of the classroom, to experience and interpret natural phenomena. Within the classroom, natural materials are used as much as possible. Dexterity work could involve grains of sand or kernels of corn; practical life work may involve preparing a snack with real kitchen utensils. Both natural and real materials are used so that students can learn the relationships between these objects, and have confidence using them independently as they grow. It’s common to see children interacting with actual glass vases for their flower arranging work, or manipulating real fabrics and materials on the dressing frame or with the locking activity board. Students learn to utilize real fabric fasteners like zippers, buttons, and velcro; they also work with real metal locks and latches to learn the basics of mechanics and increase dexterity. It’s important that children learn how these materials work, for their own growth as well as safety.
