The Preschool Program:
The Preschool Program at Sandcastles Montessori Preschool (SMP) was founded by Kathy Vincent in September 2005. It is licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Education.
The goal at SMP is to provide an exceptional Montessori Educational Program for young children and their families, keeping the best interest of the child the first priority.
The Classrooms:
The preschool classrooms are very large, bright, organized and clean. The atmosphere of the rooms is comfortable, similar to home. The children move freely about the rooms either, working with interesting materials of their choice, socializing with their friends, or engaging in individualized lessons given by certified and experienced teachers. SMP is a positive and nurturing environment that is precisely prepared for each child that attends. The children are challenged and are independent which enhances their self-esteem, self-motivation to learn, and self-discipline to respect the people and materials around them. The classrooms are quiet and calm as the children respect their friends while they deeply concentrate, with enthusiasm in the interesting materials. They are successful, comfortable, observed, and respected at SMP which encourages them to be free to explore and learn.
The Daily Schedule:
9:00 to 10:30 - Work Time, Snack Time, Bathroom Time
10:30 to 10:45 - Together Time
10:45 to 11:15 - Outside Time
11:15 to 11:30 - Story Time
The Curriculum:
Fine motor development - finger plays, arts and crafts, practical life
Gross motor - movement games/songs, outside play, balance beam
Independence - self-care, completing a task, concentration
Social - taking turns, using polite words, using words to communicate, respecting others feelings and space, and waiting for attention to talk
Language Arts - listening, speaking, writing, reading
Science - plants, the skeletal system, the farm, weather, seasons, insects, butterflies, the solar system, color, dinosaurs, birds, frogs, hatching chicks, snakes, nutrition, magnets, dental care, seasons, and
Math - counting objects, shapes, sequencing written number symbols, days, weeks, months of the calendar, matching number symbols with the amount, the decimal system, fractions, patterns, measurements, sorting and classifying objects, telling time, sequencing by size, and simple addition and subtraction
Sensorial - using touch, sight, taste, hearing, and smell to experience the world
Practical Life - pouring dry and liquid material, spooning, sewing, painting, play dough, opening and closing materials, preparing snack, polishing, dish washing, hand washing, cutting paper, gluing materials, baking, zippering, buttoning, locks, and tools
Geography & Culture - the seven continents and the culture for one country in each continent (language, food, clothing, animals, climate), and land formations
Spanish - numbers, colors, animals, foods, transportation, clothing, shapes, and movements
Music - bells, horns, drums, strings, classical, acoustic, and cultural
Movement - finger plays and songs, balancing, jumping, skipping, galloping, clapping, stretching, resting, throwing, catching, kicking, batting, and rolling
Art - making collages, watercolors, discussing artist work, reading about artist life, using markers, painting at the easel, cutting, gluing, taping, and seasonal activities
Specials Events:
Special Teachers
Music Teacher - Ms. Ann-Marie of Tunes-n-Tales of Newport
Creative Movement Teacher - Ms. Karen of Smart Start RI of South Kingstown
Community Events:
Field Trips
Biomes, Casey's Farm, Providence Children's Museum, and the URI Bay Campus.
Special Family Gatherings
December Holiday, Valentine's Day, and Graduation Day
Special Visitor
The South Kingstown Fire Truck
Parent Night
Fall and Spring Montessori and Program informative meetings
