Education
 
Reading & Writing
Montessori teachers recognize that learning to read and write is an individual process and speed is not important but exposing a child to read and write at an early age helps build the groundwork. The Movable Alphabet is a wonderful tool  because it helps to form words to process writing and reading.  Phonetic instruction forms the foundation of our reading program. Helping the child identify the initial sound of words supports the child in learning to read.  Working with metal insets promotes writing and drawing skills.  The sandpaper letters activity helps child identify the letter sound and teach the child to write in the correct direction.
 
Science & Practical Life
Students understand the significance of the balance in nature.  They receive lessons on the Earth as the source of life and the sun as the fuel to create food. We study the life cycles of creatures on earth such as frogs, turtles, butterflies and horses.  We also learn the parts of a tree, turtle, fish, cow and flower.  We collectively take care of the classroom plants and water our vegetable garden. Our botany lessons provide children with an understanding of the importance of plants in the world.  Science experiments also allow the children to give reason to the world that we live in. We explore important aspects of the Earth through sink and float, magnetic and non-magnetic and living and non-living.  Understanding of gravity, motion and light are explored through art, writing, reading and experimenting.

A.A.I.M.S. Montessori School's environment encourages age appropriate practical life activities.  Organizing and cleanliness activities lay the foundation for the introduction to school.  Practical life activities such as sponging, moping, sweeping, dusting, polishing, pouring and other activities connect the home with school.  Teachers demonstrate these practical life activities in a calm, unhurried manner, they act as guides so children may develop confidence and independence.
The goal of our practical life skills program is to assist the child in developing social skills, independence, and respect for themselves and others.  The indirect aim is to develop the child’s gross motor and fine motor skills.  Practical life activities are unique, purposeful, and simplified to the child’s capacity.  The repetition of practical life activities bring in a high level of concentration, order, responsibility, independence, accomplishment and respect.
The prepared environment as Dr. Montessori believed is an integral part of a child’s development. With the blend of freedom and discipline the child’s inner self grows physically and mentally.  Our focus is on the whole child- to create a respectful, courteous, and caring child.  Practical life activities lay the groundwork for success not only in the Montessori environment, but for life.
 
Math
Math is in our daily life- young minds are aware of  numerology at a very early age. The concept of math is introduced in different variations at A.A.I.M.S. according to the child’s interest and curiosity. The names of the numbers are taught in connection with the appropriate rods. Then the names are taught in connection with the sandpaper figures so that finally the rods can be laid out and the figures placed on them. Other simple counting exercises are also done with the spindle box, and the loose counters and number cards. This incorporates many different methods of learning- audio, visual, and kinesthetic- so that each child may find one that works best for them. Montessori philosophy concludes that you should introduce math to young children as “materialized abstractions.” This is accomplished with hands on apparatus for math.  At A.A.I.M.S. we believe in building a strong foundation to math at a young age (preschool), for this reason we intorduce math more specifically during the sensitive periods between 15 months to 3 and 3 to 6 years old.

Geography
Children are introduced to geography as they are very curious about the world.  We create fun activities to help children understand the Earth.  We teach continents through maps and books.  Lessons on land, water and air are introduced in a variety of ways.  We discuss land and water formations and expose children to the formation of lakes, ponds, islands, bays, isthmus, peninsulas and straits. 

Social Studies, History & Culture
We study history and celebrate cultures from all around the world.  We learn about our presidents, historians, and influential people.  We focus on how history is made and recognize the great women and men in our world.   We learn of the family tree and have many interesting activities to increase the child’s knowledge of history and culture.  Our social studies program helps to enrich the child’s mind and allows the child to understand the world and how they see the world from their perspective as well as the perspective of others.

Art
Students at AAIMS are encouraged to try a variety of arts we offer such as ballet, karate, acting, ceramics, drawing, painting, and many other types of creative expression. Developing creative thinking skills reflects well in the classroom as well especially when they learn to problem solve with a new perspective. Many practical life exercises within the Montessori curriculum are artistic in nature, e.g. cutting, sewing, pasting and painting.   We encourage the child to work safely and independently with some element of controlled use. Rather than inhibit the child, we encourage thoughtful application of color, especially after the child has selected his/her own materials to work with.  Children have a growing understanding of the medium itself & quickly develop knowledge of amounts to use & how to prepare their work environment.  Materials are freely available but the child takes responsibility for them and their use.

Motor Skills 
In establishing an active program, we recognize that children need much more support than adults in order to begin to recognize the effects and benefits of physical activity. Breathing exercises and movement provide a vehicle of experience, a meaningful therapeutic process. Practicing stretching exercises help children cope with stressful situations that they may encounter in life and early introduction promotes a lifelong skill.

Sensorial Development & Music Enrichment
Sensorial materials were developed by Maria Montessori to stimulate and refine the senses and perfect their functions as children’s natural impulse is to explore the world through their senses.  The practical life activities are preparation for sensorial activities.  Each child is encouraged by achievements and learns to identify between work and play and becomes aware of growth through self-correction mechanisms that are delivered through the concept of order and from order is derived the control of error which exists in the Sensorial Materials. Between the ages of three to six the child applies logic and structure to the information that is absorbed between zero to three years of age. The Montessori Sensorial Materials help in refining and identifying the color, texture, size, weight, shape and smell and hones skills such as increased observation and vocabulary. The child begins to experience the outer world through the classroom and it becomes more clear and ordered.

Sensorial Materials are isolated and stimulate the senses to allow the child to form new concepts through experiences and exercise. These materials work as only one property is isolated called “Isolation of a Property”.  For example the difference between an item to the other is obvious. The child works one step at a time from simple to complicated materials. This is a universal concept and can be used by any culture in the world and thus develops the power of logical thinking. Sensorial Materials are powerful tools and create order and allow intelligent exploration of the environment. Along with motor coordination it also creates abstract thinking and enhances artistic capability. It assists in early detection of missed milestones in a child’s perception.