where learning is unlimited
 CA's toddler and preprimary programs provide group Montessori experiences for children 18 months and above. These programs are tailored to give children a different kind of learning experience developing all life-skills preparing them for a brighter future. "The development of the children during the first three years after birth is unequaled in intensity and importance by any period that precedes or follow in the whole life of a child." - Maria Montessori
M Toddler: The Age of Developing Self Awareness - This program provides a small group Montessori experience for children 18 months to 30 months of age. The program is tailored to give young children a rich, inviting environment for the development of independence, curiosity and the desire for exploration. The classroom is carefully prepared to meet their unique needs. All furniture is smaller which allows maximum independence and for children to gain mastery over the environment. The room is deliberately kept simple to prevent sensory overload, and consistent routines provide a predictable structure to explore. The materials are designed to be attractive and inviting as well as to stimulate the child mentally and physically. The curriculum encompasses lessons in practical life (exercises of daily living) that help to refine large and small muscle development, introductory Sensorial materials (that use the tactile, olfactory and auditory senses) and an emphasis on math, language, eye-hand coordination and social skills. This also guides the child to develop order, concentration, coordination, and independence. Children participate in Music and movement activities and a sense of belonging within a community is cultivated through group activities. Preprimary: The Age of the Absorbent Mind - The Preprimary program is carefully planned based on the Montessori principles. Each child is honored as an individual and lessons are designed according to their developmental needs and their natural desire to learn. It provides children 3 to 6 years of age an opportunity to enjoy and explore in a nurturing, beautifully "prepared environment" scaled to their size. There are five main areas of focus: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math and Cultural Studies which includes Geography, Science, Music, Spanish and Art. Practical Life lessons are designed to provide real and purposeful work which help children develop physically, socially and mentally. These include activities in polishing, sorting, grace and courtesy, personal care, food preparation. Sensorial lessons sharpen their senses and enable them to understand the many impressions they receive through them. Children do activities with texture, weight, size, color, shape and sound. In math, children are exposed to counting, decimal beads, proportion and computation; and in language, they begin pre-writing and writing, pre-reading and reading. The Montessori materials help children build a sense of order, concentration, coordination and independence. Learning patterns established at this age produce confident, competent learners who are ready to move on to their elementary years. **Our Preprimary program is held at MCA and OCA facilities so parents may be able to choose by location.