The Montessori Method of education, developed by Maria Montessori, centers around the children. Each children is unique and they are capable of developing learning by themselves. Children are inherently curious and thus they are able to initiate learning in a supportive and prepared learning environment. The Montessori method attemps to educate "the whole child": physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

The Montessori Method believes that children are to engage in psychological self construction by interacting actively with their environment. This self-construction phase happens in the youngest of children - under the age of six. In the Montessori classrooms, children are free to explore their activities and learning. On the flipside, it is the responsibility of the educators to provide the right learning environment and materials for learning to happen effectively and in its intended direction.

Due to the pandemics, we felt that having an outdoor space would be of great use in our learning environment - as it allows for abundant fresh air while minimizing the risk of virus spread. Coincidentally, outdoor learning has many, many benefits that are very relevant to our Montessori-based education methods.

Doctor Maria Montessori herself stated the important role of nature and outdoor play in a child's healthy development: “There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature.”

Some of the observed benefits of outdoor learning in young children:

• Encourages physical activity - outdoor learning space allows children to move and play much freely, which can help improve their overall physical health and wellbeing. Regular physical activity has been linked to better academic performance, improved concentration, and reduced stress and anxiety.

• Supports hands-on learning - outdoor learning space provides opportunities for children to engage in hands-on, experiential learning. They can explore the natural world, conduct experiments, and engage in other interactive activities that promote curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

• Fosters creativity and imagination - outdoor learning space can inspire children's creativity and imagination. The natural environment, fresh air, and open spaces help children feel more relaxed and open to new ideas, which support their ability to think creatively and develop their imaginations.

• Supports social and emotional development - outdoor learning space provides opportunities for children to develop important social and emotional skills, such as communication, teamwork, empathy, and resilience. Children can learn to work together, support each other, and take risks in a safe and supportive environment. They can socialize with others while playing a game or doing experiments in groups, which can be done easily in outdoor learning environment.

Letterland is a unique, phonics-based approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling to 3-8 year olds. Letterland and its characters transform plain black and white alphabets to various live characters that have their own personalities and stories - which has meanings and purpose in teaching phonics to young children. With the characters in play, Letterland comes alive in the minds of little ones and guide them in navigating thru their reading, writing, and spelling quests. 

From Annie Apple to Zig Zag Zebra, these characters join hand-in-hand in helping young children to be immersed in the phonics world. Being live characters, Letterlanders integrate well into our everyday teaching methods - in which we use music, movements, dance, stories, and many other interactive actions for these characters.

There are many benefits of learning material for children using the S.T.E.M (Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics) method. Here are some of them:

• Encourages critical thinking: The S.T.E.M method encourages children to think critically and solve problems. They learn to approach problems in a logical and systematic way, even in younger children, the same rules apply.

• Develops creativity: The S.T.E.M method also helps to develop creativity in children. They are encouraged to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems.

• Improves academic performance: Learning using the S.T.E.M method can also improve academic performance. Studies have shown that students who learn using the S.T.E.M method perform better in science, math, and other subjects.

• Promotes teamwork: The S.T.E.M method often involves group work, which can help children learn to work together and communicate effectively. They learn to listen to each other, share ideas, and collaborate to achieve a common goal.

• Prepares for future careers: The S.T.E.M method is highly relevant to many future careers, such as engineering, science, technology, and mathematics. By learning S.T.E.M subjects from a young age, children develop the familiarity with these fields.