Preprimary

The philosophy of CLA’s early childhood program is a child-centered approach that supports the individual student's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive developmental needs.  Our preprimary program combines Montessori methods with age-appropriate instructional practices to meet each child’s academic and social needs. We offer a unique blend of Montessori-based concepts and a curriculum rich in language arts, math, science, geography, and practical arts. Our curriculum also includes Spanish, technology, art, music, library, and physical education, all of which uniquely prepare our students for success in lower-elementary school and beyond. The preprimary program encourages independence, freedom within limits, and a sense of order. Teaching social responsibility is fundamental to CLA's preprimary classroom and nurtures the ideals of caring for others and our communities.

CLA's early childhood program fits within the school's overall mission as it supports the values of personal responsibility, acceptance of individuality, and respect for others and the learning environment. The program also provides students with academic and artistic opportunities in a culturally-enriched community aligned with Montessori principles. 

The Preprimary Program at Creative Learning Academy offers a child-centered learning environment rooted in the Montessori philosophy and rich with materials to help children grow intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Classrooms are divided into six carefully planned areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Science, and Geography. In these areas of study, students work at their own pace through an individualized program, ensuring academic success.

Our program encourages independence, freedom within limits, and a sense of order. Children learn through sensory-motor activities with materials that develop their cognitive abilities through direct experience. Materials are inviting and thoughtfully arranged on accessible shelves, fostering student independence. In this safe and empowering environment, students find a joy of learning.

The cornerstone of our preschool classroom is a hands-on approach to learning. Through the use of manipulatives, students learn individual skills and concepts. These concrete materials provide the solid base needed to develop and support abstract thought and introduce concepts that become increasingly complex. As children learn independently, they also learn how to live in a community that cares for, values, and supports one another. The classroom promotes a nurturing and respectful environment in which children feel comfortable to learn independently, to think constructively, and to act creatively.

Students enrolled in our Preprimary program are required to be completely Bathroom Independent prior to the first day of school. We do not have the facilities or supplies necessary to change children in classrooms.

Areas of Study in the Classroom

Practical Life establishes concentration, coordination, organization, and independence as the children learn simple tasks involved with care of themselves, care of the environment, and care of one another.

Sensorial is designed to refine the senses. Textures, sounds, and tastes are matched. Children also match and grade colors, shapes, and sizes. Sensorial work provides direct preparation for math.

Math contains many materials that enable the children to have a variety of concrete experiences with quantities and associated symbols. They begin with the numbers 1-10 and quickly proceed to 100. The base ten system is introduced as well as basic addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

Language is organized into listening, speaking, writing, and reading. A phonics approach is utilized.

Science covers work in general science, zoology, and botany. Children work with magnets, weather, mammals, and plants. A wide variety of hands-on activities are available.

Geography exposes children to the basic concepts of geography such as air, land, water, and maps. Continents and the cultures of each continent are introduced

Our curriculum also includes Spanish, art, music, and physical education, all of which uniquely prepares our students for success in Lower School and beyond. The low teacher-to-student ratio allows for individualized attention in critical areas such as language and math. Our program promotes leadership opportunities, challenging curriculum, respect among peers, and reinforcement of Montessori materials.

Spanish teaches children vocabulary basics, culture, and geography.

Art in the classroom focuses on exploration and provides an introduction to tools they will use in later years. Cross-curricular applications within the preschool classroom and the music enrichment help children apply their knowledge.

Music introduces children to musical elements including beat, rhythm patterns, instrumental and vocal tones, and tempo using the Kindermusik program. Students apply concepts learned through multiple performances throughout the year.

Physical Education supports development of gross motor skills and encourages children to cooperate in a safe learning environment.

Enrichments to our program also come through field trips, community resources, our Buddy Program, and school-wide activities.