The Grande Prairie Public School Division is pleased to offer the Montessori Casa dei Bambini (Preschool and Kindergarten) and Elementary Montessori Program (Grades 1 to 6) our Montessori School - Parkside Montessori.
What is Montessori?
Developed by Italian educator, Maria Montessori, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Montessori method is characterized by an emphasis on self-directed activities on the part of the child. It stresses the importance of adapting the child’s learning environment to his or her developmental level.
The Montessori Method is:
- Child-directed
- Individualized
- Hands-on with tactile materials
- A process of exploration and discovery
- Focused on nurturing a natural curiosity and love of learning in a social environment
Dr. Montessori’s observations of children led her to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential and self-correcting materials that facilitate the learning of new skills.
Casa dei Bambini is for children 3 to 5 years old. Children must be three years old as of September 1st of the year of enrollment. and must have self-sufficient toileting skills.
REGISTER
The Grande Prairie Public School Division will be accepting applications for Play Partners at Swanavon School and Crystal Park School. Play Partners are typically developing peers who have strong skills in the areas of language, self-help skills and social development. They act as valuable play, language, and behaviour role models for students in the PUF Pre-Kindergarten Program with mild, moderate and severe disabilities and or delays.
Play Partners must be between the ages of 3 and 4-year-old by August 31st of the school year. 2-4 peers are accepted into each half day program depending on capacity.
All applicants go through an application and screening process and participate in a two-week trial basis to ensure they have age-appropriate development before confirmation of acceptance. Play Partner spaces pay a fee of $265 per month, (to be finalized by the Board at the end of May). Parents are not expected to pay during the two-week trial. If the program is full your child can be put on a waitlist. A pre-authorized debit form is set up at the school for monthly withdrawals.
Parents interested in a Play Partner space can send an email to PUF@gppsd.ab.ca requesting an application.
