Summer Program

The "summer program" originated as a device so I could see the children who are too old to attend AGP, enjoy a little time with them, and give them experience with the marvelous Montessori materials that prepare them for whatever they will encounter the following year in their schools - math, language, music, whatever.

The ages chosen were 5-12 as those ages seem to work well together in this kind of setting. The length of time is 2 weeks.

We spend more time outdoors than we do during the school year and emphasize a very special Montessori pattern - that of collecting botanical specimens and then "painting" them with our watercolors, making our own botanical notebooks and using the knowledge and terminology we have been learning over the years.

The 5- and 6-year olds who have been with me the preceding spring just see it as an extension of school and go on with whatever they have been doing - with the added enrichment elements.

The social atmosphere is a wonderful example of Montessori at work as there is much companionship, working together, and older children serving as examples for the younger ones. I've not seen other such situations where older children voluntarily avoid competitiveness and choose to encourage.

It pleases me to be able to use the materials for 6-12 children that we often don't get to during the preschool year.

Generally the group numbers 11-16. I am usually the only adult and have as help one or two of the AGP "old kids" - age 12-16. Having the older children present is very happy for the younger ones, is a choice on the part of the older one(s), and allows me to teach parenting during that sensitive period for parenting that comes around age 12 or so.

The dates will be determined in the Spring.
The hours will be 9 noon or 9 until 3:30; children can come for 1 or both weeks and I can flex on time within those general limits.

Applications are usually available in April. (I also often take older siblings of children who are attending AGP or have done so.)