Pre-School
Kindergarten • Childcare

3821 240th St. SE,  •  Bothell, WA 98021

The Montessori Philosophy

The Montessori philosophy is based on scientific observations made by Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. Her work with orphaned and poor children led her to develop specific tactile tools and methodology wherein the developmental needs of the child are met through an ordered progression of materials.

A child's own biological and sociological needs will determine his/her “choice of work” (the child's play is his work). The teacher then acts as a facilitator to assist in the use of materials and presentation of the tools. The child is very much his own educator as he learns by doing and observing the results of doing work that is self–correcting in nature.

A Sense of Order & Your Child’s Work (Cubbies)

One skill and inherent element of the Montessori philosophy and curriculum, is the development of a sense of order. To help children with this, we practice orderly use of materials and their care and have set aside special places for your children to find their personal belongings and school work which they have created while at our school. Where one looks depends upon the source. Paper work done in the main Montessori classroom will be put in each child’s individual file folder by that child. These may be found in the file cabinet in front of the front window. Art work is generally placed in their individual art cubbies which are in the art room (although gluing or painting work that is still drying may be on the art cart in the art room).

Extra personal belongings are stored in individual cubbies upstairs. Coats and shoes are kept at individual hooks in the classroom or upstairs (at day’s end). Parents and children need to check these areas daily as “over crowding” occurs quickly in our busy environment.

Ask your child to show you his/her folder or cubbie or place for coat and shoes – you will be delighted to see the pride with which they do so. Encourage your child to assist in the retrieval of his/her belongings and work accomplished during their work time on a daily basis. This will assist in his/her learning to become independent. It will also benefit the child’s independence to be responsible to hang up his own coat and remove his shoes when entering the school. They can more easily find their things when they are responsible for them.

The Philosophy of Our School

CPMS is dedicated to being a happy, healthy environment for the care and education of young children. Our materials provide hands–on experiences in all areas of learning and enable each child to learn order, concentration, coordination, and independence as they develop self–confidence. Through the use of the Montessori Method, there is freedom to choose the work that suits a child’s developmental needs. Main room shelves are filled with materials designed to meet these needs, and specific unit-enrichment activities are devoted to a central theme.

Our Goal

Our goal is to implement these philosophies in a friendly, safe, and balanced environment where children will want to explore and thereby develop the social, emotional, and physical skills that will enable them to be ready to meet the challenges of their future educational and social environments.