Goals

The primary goal of The Joy of Learning Montessori School is to allow a child's natural curiosity and love of learning to blossom and grow. Children's interests and capabilities are widely varied during the ages from 2 1/2 to 9. The JLMS program allows children to work through an established curriculum according to their individual learning styles. This is a mixed-age program that enables children to progress at their own pace and to learn from one another. A student's progress will depend on how many years s/he participates in the program, and how much support s/he receives in her/his home life. (JLMS holds parent education nights at least 2x per year.) JLMS recognizes the importance of allowing the child to develop holistically. Activities to nurture the spiritual nature of the child, are complimentary to academic tasks. This will include experience of silence & reflection, a reverence for nature, an appreciation of the interconnectedness of all things, and the cultivation of peacefulness, compassion, generosity, & love.

The classroom is equipped with a wide range of materials. During a work period, the children work alone or in small groups, completing activities that are appropriate to their ages and abilities. During this time, the teachers interact with the students, demonstrating new materials or assisting children with their activities. There is a daily group time for lessons, sharing, singing and developing a sense of community.