Primary Program (Age 3 - Kindergarten)
Our Primary Program at Albemarle Montessori Children’s Community supports children from age 3 through the end of Kindergarten—a crucial time when the brain is developing rapidly and children are laying the groundwork for lifelong learning.
Rooted in the AMI-recognized Montessori curriculum, the Primary classroom is a beautifully prepared, mixed-age environment where children progress through increasingly complex work as their confidence and abilities grow. The classroom is organized into four core areas—Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, and Language—with integrated experiences in science, art, music, geography, foreign language, and movement.
Every material and activity in the classroom is intentionally designed to align with your child’s developmental needs and natural interests, fostering independence, critical thinking, and curiosity. The multi-age structure (ages 3–6) builds a strong sense of community, where younger children learn by observing older peers, and older students develop leadership and mentoring skills. Consistency with the same teacher over three years supports social-emotional growth and trust.
Daily Routine
Each day begins with a warm greeting followed by a three-hour uninterrupted morning work cycle, giving children the freedom to choose their own work and fully immerse themselves in meaningful, focused activity. Snack is available on demand during this period. After morning work comes community circle, lunch, and recess, followed by a quieter afternoon work cycle. Younger children may rest as needed, then rejoin work when ready. The day wraps up with group activities, outdoor play, and arts-based exploration in the extended care program.
This carefully structured routine nurtures your child’s love of learning while building deep concentration, resilience, and joy in purposeful work—preparing them with confidence for the next stage of their educational journey.
Scope & Sequence: Primary
For children ages 3 to 6, our Scope & Sequence is organized into four core subject areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Math—with rich integration of art, science, music, geography, health, and cultural studies throughout the classroom experience.
Practical Life
Practical Life activities nurture independence, confidence, and coordination. This area includes:
Transition Exercises: Familiar activities (e.g., puzzles, folding, watering plants) that ease a child from home life into classroom routines.
Preliminary Movements: Isolated skills like pouring, scooping, or opening/closing to prepare for more complex tasks.
Care of the Person: Hands-on lessons in dressing, grooming, and health that support autonomy and body awareness.
Grace & Courtesy: Daily opportunities to practice polite social behaviors, from greetings to saying “please” and “thank you.”
Control of Movement: Exercises like walking the line and the silence game help children develop mindfulness, self-regulation, and intentional movement.
Language
Language development in the Montessori classroom moves from spoken to written to read language. Children build vocabulary, refine listening skills, and practice storytelling. They progress into writing through purposeful motor preparation, and ultimately into reading—starting with phonetic awareness and moving toward full comprehension and creative expression. Art and music also support this journey as forms of language and self-expression.
Sensorial
Sensorial materials help children refine their senses and lay the groundwork for abstract thinking. Children learn to classify, compare, and notice detail—developing precision, memory, and logic. This area nurtures the early development of the mathematical mind and prepares children for later academic concepts.
Mathematics
The Montessori math sequence is hands-on, logical, and beautifully layered. It includes:
Numbers 1–10 – Introducing quantity, symbol, and sequence
The Decimal System – Concrete work with place value and large numbers
Counting Beyond 10 – Extending number understanding and operations
Memorization Work – Learning basic math facts through tactile, visual methods
Passage to Abstraction – Applying mental math and symbolic reasoning without materials
Through this sequence, children gain deep number sense and a joyful, lasting confidence with math.
This carefully constructed curriculum fosters independence, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning—laying the foundation for success in elementary school and beyond.
