Early Childhood Program
(3-5 years old)
In-School Specials Classes
Our Early Childhood Program is a full day (8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) class, five days per week.
Children work with a variety of materials according to the scope and sequence of the Montessori curriculum, progressing according to their age, interests, and mastery. A hallmark of the Montessori environment, our multi-age classroom allows the children to interact with their peers and develop leadership skills as they grow in independence.
A typical day includes circle time, both group and individual lessons, an extended work cycle to allow for uninterrupted focus, snack and lunch time, one to two periods of outdoor activities, and rest time.
In-School Specials Classes
Zumba
Zumba children’s classes are perfect for dance fans. Students will get the opportunity to be active while having fun enhancing their memory patterns with gross motor movements. Students will learn age-appropriate, kid-friendly dance routines based on various world music. Zumba classes will break down steps while enhancing students’ ability to follow directions and play games with various materials. At a young age, students will learn how to live a healthy lifestyle incorporated with fun fitness. Early childhood students will learn about and practice flexibility, hand/foot coordination, leadership, teamwork, respect, self-esteem, confidence, memory, creativity, and cultural awareness.
Spanish
Our Spanish Immersion before-school program offers structured activities for language development. The program is designed to support children between the ages of two and fourteen throughout their growth and learning journey in a meaningful and safe environment. In this class, students interact with peers, develop new skills, grow their confidence, independence, and love for learning. Students are encouraged to develop their confidence when speaking in the target language through role-plays, singing, reading comprehension, and individual or group presentations.
The founder of this program, Ms. Joanna, is a trained Montessorian. She has worked at NYU and Columbia Universities to prepare adult learners in Spanish; she worked with Montessori schools to teach kids in Spanish and Italian; she has also worked with Kaplan to train adult learners in English. She incorporates Montessori and Reggio approaches and follows the communicative approach, which emphasizes interaction as both the means and study goal. Ms. Joanna’s model is successful both in the US and in Columbia. She also worked with many families to train adult learners in Spanish, French, and Italian through her own company, Fasttrack Languages. She is based in Jersey City, NJ; the class will have a hybrid-remote and in-person model. We are excited to partner with her to bring language development forward at Yellow Acorn Montessori.
Greenburgh Nature Center:
Meet the Animals
To support our Montessori nature curriculum, the Greenburgh Nature Center will customize their Meet the Animal program and tailor it to support the activities happening in the classroom by meeting and learning about animals. Children will have the opportunity to interact with some of Greenburgh Nature Center’s furriest, feathered, bristled and scaly residents. This class will emphasize respect for each animal and will complement Yellow Acorn’s nature curriculum with the inclusion of mammals, nocturnal animals, reptiles, amphibians and others
In-School Specials
STEAM: Renewable Energy, Sun, and Wind
Weather/Water Cycle– Students will explore the world of meteorologists as they experiment with wind and water. They will discover evaporation by experimenting with puddles and painting with water. They will learn about wind speed and direction by blowing bubbles and flying kites. We will explore renewal energies in detail and we will celebrate the hands-on design that engages students through wind and solar power. The students will design, construct and test small-scale wind turbines and solar structures. Students will have the opportunity to share their creations with the broader community.
In the Eye of the Beholder:
The Language of Art
This course “In the eye of the beholder – The Language of Art.” will be divided into two areas. Under the introduction of materials, we will explore drawing with pencil/graphite, colored pencils, crayons, watercolors, water-soluble markers, soft pastels, and ink. For paintings we will use watercolor, tempera, and acrylics on various mediums such as fabric, rice paper, canvas, we will look at different illustrators for our collages, printmaking, and three-dimensional works.
Under the introduction of elements of the art, we will look at masterpieces and examine negative and positive space, line/implied line, shape, color, actual texture vs perceived texture, value, actual form vs perceived form, balance, pattern, rhythm, harmony, proportion, contrast emphasis and unity.
During our exploration with these unique drawing and painting styles, children will learn to discover, gather, collect, examine their world, and process stimuli in their early childhood development. When they learn about masters and their unique method of drawing/ paintings prepares their brains for more advanced learning. It is fun, encouraging, and will maximize growth, to better prepare them as learners.
Through our art curriculum, we’ll raise a generation that values art’s power, passion, and significance.
Little Yogis
Yellow Acorn Montessori is partnering with Parivartan Khanduri, a certified yoga teacher for kids and practitioner of all levels.
Yoga enhances concentration and memory. It helps reduce impulsivity, teaches discipline, builds strength, develops balance, improves flexibility and attention span. It also boosts immunity and encourages better eating. Kids pay attention to their breathing, while understanding mindfulness. This reduces their stress resulting in a better sleep pattern.
Students will practice shapes seen in nature, animal forms, birds, and more while enjoying the many benefits from practicing yoga.
Apply Now!
We are currently accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year.
Please review the admissions section of our site and download the application below
when you are ready to apply.