Come see us for yourself! Please fill out the form below to learn more
Montessori & Me Preschool
Montessori & Me Preschool is located in a beautiful East Pasadena, California neighborhood. Our program meets the individual needs of every child to create a joyful learning experience. Our children learn in a beautiful outdoor classroom, that is surrounded by nature in a holistic garden environment, where a child’s innate sense of order, concentration and independence unfold under the nurturing guidance of experienced teachers.
Our curriculum builds in conjunction with environmental and cultural studies. Each lessons provides a unique approach to exploring our universe and our planet, using a biome based cosmic curriculum that introduces plants, animals, soil, air, water and sun. The materials demonstrate how each of these parts work and connects to form our universe. In addition to our traditional Montessori materials, we cook weekly cultural meals together in our beautiful outdoor child size kitchen, with everyone working together as a team to prepare a meal, serve each other and collectively enjoy what we have made. These meals are connected with the county we are learning about that month. In addition to this, we start our day with song, yoga movement and the silence game (meditation). We explore science, music, movement, dance, art, gardening and theater, with short plays that are based on what we are learning about in class.
We are committed to developing confident, independent, mindful children, that embrace their love for themselves, community, our planet and a joy for learning.We have created a beautiful, strong community among the children and families and invite you to join us!
“Imagine a place where your child is always greeted warmly and made to feel welcome with a parent-communication experience that keeps you informed and confident that your child has fallen in love with learning.”
Our Mission
Montessori & Me Preschool promotes mindful activity within a compassionate, diverse community to develop socially responsible, life-long learners.
Core Values
To foster lifelong learners. Our multi-age learning environment stimulates the child’s natural curiosity, fosters personal discoveries, and creates socially responsible citizens of the world.
Focus Areas
Music
Music activates the entire brain, strengthens community and family bonds, is confidence building, enhances spatial awareness and coordination, and sets a foundation for learning mathematics and ear training. All people are musical. Basic music competence is a learned achievement. All people can learn how to sing in tune, keep a steady beat, and confidently participate with enjoyment if the people who love them provide them with encouragement and a rich environment.
Foreign Language
Introducing children to foreign languages should begin as early as possible. For a child, the advantages and benefits of hearing multiple languages at an early age are extremely valuable and continue long into adulthood. We have included Chinese, Spanish and French in our curriculum.
Practical Life
With gentle oversight, children learn to care for themselves and their environment. Montessori methods promote a sense of mastery and self-confidence in each child. By performing such tasks as sweeping, polishing, washing, and preparing food, children develop coordination, concentration, good work habits, and the value of completing a task.
Sensorial
Our materials are designed to heighten the child’s senses of sight, touch, sound, taste, and smell. Senses are instrumental in understanding and classifying the environment. Through distinguishing, categorizing, and comparing the concrete, children develop a foundation for moving from the concrete to the abstract.
Skillbuilding for Reading and Writing
Using simple alphabet cutouts and sandpaper letters, children learn the sounds of letters and soon are linking letters to make words, then words to make sentences. Children first develop the small muscle coordination necessary to master writing in their exercises of daily living and in using sensorial materials. They soon progress to writing letters.
Math
A child’s understanding of the basic mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division first emerges from using manipulative materials such as rods, beads, sandpaper numerals, cards, and counters. Such materials help the student visualize otherwise abstract numbers. Using self-correcting materials, children learn not only number recognition and place value, but also solve problems.
Cultural Subjects
Geography, science, art, and music are referred to as cultural subjects. Children learn about people, their countries, and the world through food, music, pictures, flags, maps, artifacts, and holiday celebrations.
Cooking
Our cooking sessions are designed to provide an experience that encourages the children to use all their senses. They smell different spices, understand different textures through touch, and tasty recipes from all over the world.
Yoga
Yoga develops many wonderful qualities in children. In addition to the obvious benefits of exercising the physical body, both sharpen the child’s ability to focus and give self-confidence and self-discipline. And yoga, practiced regularly, helps children become aware of themselves from the inside out. From this awareness, children can change and grow in new and positive directions.
Gardening
Gardens are living laboratories where interdisciplinary lessons are drawn from real-life experiences. In our garden, children have an opportunity to observe, discover, and experiment as active participants. We donate 10% of our garden’s production to children that are fighting cancer.
Dance
Preschool dance class is designed to enhance fine and gross motor skills, cultivate imagination, creativity, and social development. Dance allows children to express their individuality. We also focus on coordination and rhythm. We introduce those subjects in creative and imaginative ways, helping children to acquire a lifelong love for dance.
Peace Makers
As Dr. Montessori said “…we must gather together all the elements of the world and organize them into a science of peace.” To bring about a world of peace and tolerance, we must teach its practice early.
Hear it from our parents!
I highly recommend this school! Ms. Rokina’s school has been a tremendously positive and nurturing experience for our daughter Naomi. Naomi started when she was 3 and blossomed in so many ways right from the start and continues to grow, mentally and socially. Just recently she read her first word and was so proud of herself! Rokina’s style of teaching combined with the purposeful environment has accelerated Naomi’s learning and skill development. After the first few weeks, Naomi said “I love school!” As parents, we couldn’t be happier. We are truly grateful for the fun and positive experience Naomi is having and all that Ms. Rokina has done for our daughter. I recommend her school with my full confidence and trust.
Devin N.
Parent
If you are looking for a calm, safe and nurturing environment where your child can expand and explore then you will love this school! Our son loved this school so much that he often talks of going back to visit. We loved that our son was always so happy and excited to go to school each day. The teacher is wonderful. She really takes the time to get to know each child, and she helps all the children create great bonds of friendship with each other. The children get hands-on experience in gardening, cooking, art, music, and much more! In the beautiful classroom, our son developed a love of numbers, began to read, learned about geography and famous artists, and most importantly strengthened his love of learning while developing a self-confidence that has aided him greatly in his transition to kindergarten. We are so happy to have had this experience here!
Sarah N.
Parent
Come see Our School for yourself! Fill out the form above to book a school tour or learn more!