OCC Kindergarten Curriculum

The Montessori classroom is filled with a rich variety of specially-designed materials for the children to use in every area: reading, writing, mathematics, science, geography, practical life, and sensorial development.

The abundance of materials makes it possible for the Kindergarten children to be self-directed and independent workers. They are given many more choices than a traditional environment could provide. Children choose activities from open shelves with self-correcting materials and work - on tables or on rugs on the floor.

Over a period of time, the children develop into a "normalized community" working with high concentration and few interruptions. A high value is placed on the child's growing ability to make constructive choices, exercise self-control, and work independently.

Our Montessori Kindergarten children also have the important advantage of remaining with children of mixed ages as well having teachers who know them very well. There is no need for a “getting to know you phase.” Mixing ages provides our kindergarten children with abundant opportunities to develop leadership skills and responsibility and gives the children greater social diversity.

This is the 'leadership year'. They have friends of all ages. The mixed ages and widely varied achievement levels of the children greatly minimize comparisons and competition, which are so damaging to young children. It also does wonders for a kindergarten child's self-esteem to be admired and looked up to by younger children. A traditional kindergarten, by contrast, only has children who are 5 before Sept. 1st. In a room of 5 year olds, only a few can be leaders.

Key concepts in Montessori philosophy is the child's interest and readiness for advanced work. If a child is not developmentally ready to go on, she is not left behind or made to feel like a failure. Our goal is not to ensure that our children develop at a predetermined rate, but to ensure that whatever they do, they do well. Most Montessori children master a tremendous amount of information and skills.
Even in the rare case where one of our children may not have made as much progress as we would have wished, he will usually be moving along steadily at his own pace and will feel good about himself as a learner.

The core of the OCC Montessori Kindergarten curriculum is language, mathematics, science, geography practical life, and sensorial. In addition, the child is also presented with history, music, art, and movement education.

OCC Kindergartners are involved special projects including making a class quilt, hiking Mt. Nittany, story circles, library, as well as art, music and drama activities.