Young children have the ability to absorb information easily and without any effort. It is most likely that we have all noticed 
this remarkable ability within a child at one time or another. Children in the primary program possess what Dr. Maria Montessori called the Absorbent Mind, the ability to absorb, without effort or fatigue, all aspects of one's culture and environment. During this period of self-co
nstruction the child is encouraged to do individual work to refine and practice skills, to concentrate, and to become confident while discovering the joys of learning.
Our Primary classrooms, age group 2½ to 6+, are quiet, harmonious environments, carefully prepared for children to respond to their natural love for learning. A wide variety of research-based learning materials foster individual growth and a delight in learning. Cooperation, a sense of community, independence, and a belief in one's own abilities create a fundamental sense of self-worth and self-confidence in our children that serves them throughout their life.
The Practical Life Curriculum and exercises instill care for self, for others, and for the environment. They are designed to foster independence, self-control, self-confidence, and self-esteem characteristics that play a critical role in subsequent intellectual growth and responsible social interaction. Activities include many of the tasks children see as part of the daily routine in their home, such as preparing food and washing dishes, along with exercises of grace and courtesy. Through these tasks children develop muscular coordination, enabling movement and the exploration of their surroundings. The children receive satisfaction from mastery of the daily life skills and become confident in their own ability to learn and contribute. Logical sequence, attention to small detail, exactness, and purposeful activity cultivate aptitude for logic, mathematics, science, and composition. Children learn to work at a task from beginning to end, and develop their powers of control and concentration.
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The Sensorial Materials Curriculum and exercises serve as tools for development. Children build cognitive skills, and learn to order and classify impressions by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, listening and exploring the physical properties of their environment. The Sensorial Materials are designed to isolate and categorize qualities of the environment perceived through the senses, to focus on the development of sensory perception. Using the senses effectively, with refined distinction, lays a physical and mental foundation for further learning based in reason and judgment.
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Aristotle said, “There is nothing in the intellect which was not first in the senses.”
The Language Curriculum encompasses the whole classroom - language is vital to human development. CountrySide Montessori School is rich in oral language opportunities, allowing the child to experience discussions, poetry, storytelling, and naming curriculum materials like geometric figures, the continents of the earth, or parts of an insect. The sandpaper letters help children link sound and symbol effortlessly, encouraging the development of written expression and reading skills. The specialized activities in the language curriculum assist in vocabulary development, phonetic progression into reading, and development of composition. To further reading development, children are exposed to the study of grammar. 
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The Math Curriculum and activities help children learn and understand the concepts of math by manipulating concrete materials. Activities teach sequence, recognition, and quantity of the numbers 1 through 10 and progress through the function and facts of the four math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This work gives children a solid understanding of basic mathematical principles and helps to develop problem-solving capabilities. The children explore mathematical relationships, such as the squaring and cubing of numbers and fractions by manipulating specific concrete materials that are designed to isolate a concept and prepare the mind for abstract mathematical reasoning and problem solving.
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The Cultural Curriculum - Geography, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Art, and Music are presented as extensions of the sensorial and language activities. Children learn about people and cultures in other countries with an attitude of respect and admiration. Through familiarity, children come to feel connected to the global human family. Lessons and experiences with nature inspire a reverence for all life. The comprehensive art and music programs give children every opportunity to enjoy a variety of creative activities, as well as gain knowledge of the great masters.
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