Practical Life area teaches children self-help skills, care of their environment, coordination, fine motor skills, attention span and a sense of order. These activities are the foundation for future learning - especially reading, writing and math.
Sensorial Materials help the child to use her senses to learn concepts of size, color and shape, while improving eye and hand coordination. The child compares heights, weights, colors, sounds, smells, shapes and textures.
Math is presented using tangible objects which represent quantities. Children move at their own pace from these objects to symbols and functions. This process includes the introduction of numerals and association of quantity and symbol, sequencing, addition and subtraction, and the decimal system.
Language includes written and oral expression. This is initiated using patterns, association, rhymes and opposites, and progresses through vocabulary enrichment, control of pencil, recognition of letter shapes, names and sounds. The child works at her own pace to build reading and writing skills.
Culture area provides a basic knowledge of culture, science and geography, and builds an awareness of the world in which we live.
The teachers bring additional materials of their own design into the classroom. At Kinderhaus, these include music, art, introduction to Spanish and other cross-cultural presentations. We also have the reading area with the butterfly pillow.