minneapolis montessori preschool

Music is an integral part of our Montessori preschool.
We introduce basic musical concepts through simple rhythm patterns, using the body and musical instruments. The children hear classical, folk and music from around the world and delight in singing educational songs.

  • Phonemic Awareness
  • Letter Formation
  • Social Skill Implementation
  • Holiday Musical Performance
  • Creative and Controlled Movement
  • Science
  • Geography
  • Math

Arise and Shine Montessori Minneapolis especially likes the the phonemic awreness Alphabet songs developed by Mary Ellen Maunz.

We also like the music CD of Hestia Abeyesekera's and her innovative Montessori-based method of music instruction.

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Our Minneapolis preschool uses Glenn Doman's “Bits of Intelligence,” which are  scientifically upgraded flashcards.

These flashcards take advantage of the young child (0-6) and their absorbent mind by assisting  the child’s brain growth and providing  the foundation for future knowledge by establishing brain pathways.

Our Minneapolis preschool has hundreds of these "bits" that we use daily either as flash cards or with our special five language computer CDs.

Minneapolis preschool neurological development
At Arise and Shine Montessori  Minneapolis preschool, we use four main programs for physical/neurological enhancement. The first of these are the rhythmic training exercises of Dr. Harald Blomberg. His series of rhythmic movements are a gentle rocking that stimulates the growth of neural pathways in the brain, strengthening brain-body connections resulting in greater ease and efficiency of movement and learning. 
 They are also used to integrate infant reflexes, resolving problems that may still be interfering with efficient movement or efficient brain coordination.

 

We use Glenn Doman  exercises of creeping, crawling and rolling at our Minneapolis preschool. From his research, Doman developed programs to help repair and grow the brain's neuronal net and to generate maturation. The children doing these mat exercises not only benefit from the gross motor movement, but also from the stimulation they are giving their brains.

We use a number of the techniques and recommended exercises from the Handle® Institute to enhance children's neurological development. Our Minneapolis preschool consults with local Handle practitioner, Janet Oliver at  www.planforlearning.com/
At our Minneapolis preschool we use Brain Gym®, to assist concentration, memory, reading, writing, organizing, listening, physical coordination, and more.

Brain Gym® develops the brain's neural pathways the way nature does: through movement..

Brain Gym® has been taught worldwide in thousands of schools and proven to be effective in published studies.
 Since 1990, Brain Gym® has been selected annually by the National Learning Foundation as one of today's leading technologies for education.

 
We implement the Girls and Boys town social skills program, including positive appropriate teaching which:
  • Builds self-esteem
  • Teaches kids to get along well with others
  • Uses guidance rather than control
  • Gives them decision-making skills
  • Tells kids clearly what they did wrong and how to correct it
  • Clearly sets expectations and gives definite skills to practice.
Our Minneapolis preschool recommends “Common Sense Parenting” as a practical manual, which outlines effective techniques for teaching responsible behavior.

 
Typically, we like to go on one off-site field trip each month. We choose places to give a concrete, real life experience of our monthly topic of study. For example, in March we study aquatic life and like to visit Underwater World to see aquatic creatures up close and personal. In October, we go to an apple orchard to explore fall and the time of harvest.

Traditionally, the Montessori curriculum explores world cultures through music, geography and other academic avenues. Arise and Shine Montessori also enjoys exploring cultural events and celebrations. We particularly focus upon the diversity of our classroom and invite all of our families to share their traditions with us.

We do two child performance a year.  Traditionally at Arise and Shine Montessori Minneapolis, we have a Holiday musical performance in the winter and a spring play performance in June.

minneapolis Montessori parade