ABOUT COMS
Our Classrooms
Follow the child
Walk into our Sequoia and Maple Classrooms (ages 3 to 6 years old) and you will see children working at their own pace, following their own interests. Perhaps a three-year-old is arranging the pink tower from largest to smallest cube, while a four-year-old works to learn the sounds of the alphabet. Meanwhile, a five-year-old child works with another kindergartner adding "golden beads". By mixing these ages together, children have the opportunity for constant interaction, problem solving, child-to-child teaching and socialization.
In our Mulberry (2 to 3 years old) and Willow (18 to 24 months old) classrooms, younger children interact in smaller environments, with their own outdoor play areas and nap time after lunch.
The classroom environments have been specially prepared to be inviting for children at various levels of development and interests. Rather than telling children what to do, Dr. Maria Montessori recommended that adults “follow the child”.
Children, given freedom to move around the classroom, use their time at school to explore and discover.
By allowing children to choose their own work, they are able to follow their innate curiosity and self-motivation, leading to self-confidence and inner joy. Of course, freedom requires boundaries. Classroom lead guides and assistants model respect for others and care of the shared environment. Children thrive in this rich environment and we often hear children say, "I did it myself!"
Children at COMS learn to be self-confident, caring and independent. They learn to trust their own instincts to become functioning members of our society. Their natural curiosity leads them to explore numerous areas including geography, art, language, math, sensorial and practical life.
Joyful learning
College Oak Montessori School supports Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy of education and child development. Based on observations of young children, Dr. Montessori realized children learn best through personal discovery. At COMS, our guides implement Dr. Montessori's recommendation to "follow the child", allowing each child to follow innate desires, joyfully learning.
Simply put, Montessori education at COMS is "child based" while most traditional education tends to be "teacher based". Children are encouraged to follow their own instincts and curiosity, using specially developed class materials, to learn at their own pace. Classroom lead guides give lessons to individuals and groups and insure each child feels safe and welcome.
Dr. Montessori observed that children enter “sensitive periods” for learning. During a sensitive period, learning comes easily. One child may be in a sensitive period for reading, while another is curious about math. If children are forced into activities while not in a sensitive period, learning can be a struggle. Our prepared classroom environments offer stimulating and exciting materials where children learn when they are ready.
Food at school
Snacks and lunch served daily at COMS are wholesome, vegetarian, fresh and organic when possible, with no refined sugar. Snacks are offered during morning and afternoon work times as well as during after-school care. Lunch, prepared in our own commercial kitchen, is served family style with a main dish, side dish and fresh fruit (for example, pizza, fresh steamed broccoli and apple slices). Children may ask for more of the foods they like and will often try new foods like vegetables grown in our gardens. Grace and courtesies are encouraged and children enjoy this time to sit and share a meal with friends.
Classroom management
Lead guides and assistants model appropriate behavior, set guidelines and communicate clear boundaries for the children. If disciplinary action is required, children are re-directed. In the primary classes, older children are excellent role models for younger children for appropriate behavior and how to peacefully solve conflicts.
COMS became a member school of the American Montessori Society in July of 2023. AMS offers the staff and families numerous resources to support understanding and implementation of Montessori educational philosophy.
