The importance of positive language development is a vital component as the child enters into the early childhood Montessori classroom. Our role is to provide the gift of language for each child as he navigates through the most important years of his language acquisition. By providing the children with the appropriate words, good listening skills and the ability to discern for oneself about someone else’s point of view, they are beginning the practice of dialectic communication. Once they understand the practice of dialoguing in small group through peer-to-peer learning or at the morning line, they are beginning their journey towards the Socratic method of education practiced in the Classical curriculum. 

It seems that the capacity of really understanding is connected with discussion, with criticism, or with assent of others.The end result of this learning is  knowledge, “the privilege of initiation to the knowledge that is the pride of our civilization.”

At Light of Christ Academy Montessori, we are an academy educating the whole child through modeling appropriate behavior (lessons in grace and courtesy), the study of Virtues (through our Catholic Faith) and the hands-on works through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, we truly honor the whole child.

THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (Teachers as guides)

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Montessori Education at Light of Christ Academy presents a multi-aged environment in which children are able to explore works honoring their sensitive periods in an organic and holistic way. The guides and assistants help the child to help themselves. This unique education allows the guide to embrace each child's individual learning path, interests, and developmental processes. It is a hands-on tactile experience that is powerful because a child can learn through the hands and it makes a bigger imprint on his heart and mind.

THE MONTESSORI ATRIUM (The classroom)

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The foundations of the Montessori curriculum at Light of Christ Academy foster in a child concentration, coordination, confidence, independence, and order. Through activities found in the atrium, children internalize these capacities within themselves. These five traits foster in a child the ability to become a lifelong learner, capable of thinking for himself and taking ownership of his decisions. Through this approach, a child is able to retain these attributes his entire life.

THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

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An outdoor classroom at Light of Christ Academy offers a child a break from the atrium during the three-hour morning work cycle. This is a self-selected activity that offers students the opportunity to interact with each other as they explore the garden, paint pictures, and utilize sandpaper and stick letters. While interacting they are engaging in grace and courtesy lessons as they practice sharing.
 
Children who learn to spend more time outdoors exploring the wonders of God’s creation find themselves wanting more engagement with the natural world. They learn to have more patience and do not need constant entertainment. Their sense of wonder about the outdoors becomes very satisfying and they seek to know more.