CASA 2

Dual Language Environment 

Language is one of the fundamental elements of learning at ICMS. Our curriculum consists of daily conversation and written practice, vocabulary enrichment, sound games, word study and reading analysis to build a strong language foundation for the child. In recognition of the diversity of our student body and the multilingualism in Hong Kong, English is the primary language taught for all classes, supported by Cantonese and Putonghua at the Pre-Nursery level; and a choice of Cantonese or Putonghua at the Kindergarten Program.

Connections in the Brain              Montessori education is famous for its ingenious, multi-sensory materials which gradually introduce children to more and more complex concepts. Because the materials allow for self-monitoring and self-correction, children manipulate the materials and make their own discoveries. Using Montessori math materials, children wire their brains for higher thinking, creative problem-solving, and for logical processing of information. Students work with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions using concrete materials that lay the foundation for later cognitive development and prepare for the gradual transition to abstract thinking.

 

Help me to do it myself!                        The exercises of Practical Life provide the foundation for all other activities in the Montessori classroom, fulfilling the child’s plea: “Help me to do it myself!” Through exercises in daily living, such as pouring, threading, opening and closing, dressing frames or practicing grace and courtesy, the child gains confidence and mastery of the environment, After individual skills are refined, children apply them in purposeful work, such as serving juice or polishing. Specifically, these activities contribute to aiding eye-hand coordination, control and coordination of movement, development of concentration, and the self-esteem that comes with making a real contribution to the group.

Learning Through the Senses       Sensorial materials help children develop the concepts of order, compare and classify so that future learning would be more meaningful and useful. Children from birth to age six are in their “sensitive period” for exploring the world through their senses. Montessori encouraged us to provide children with many opportunities to organize the sensory impressions they’ve been receiving since birth. Our Sensorial materials offer different textures, colors, sizes, and geometric shapes to assist children in their discovery of relationships, “This bolt is a hexagon,” or “This cloth is rough.” Sensorial experiences also indirectly prepare children for future exploration of language, mathematics, geometry, art, and music.

Keys to the World                         Geography, music, art, zoology and botany are culture subjects presented as extensions of sensorial and language activities, to enrich the child’s knowledge of the world live in. By learning and celebrating other traditions with food, music and stories, children can begin to see the uniqueness of other cultures, yet come to understand how much we all have in common.