Developmental Classes and Placement
We first look at a child's age and stage, and we then try to place the child in the class best suited to his or her particular needs. All children develop in a sequential way, but children develop at different rates. Children need different things at different periods of development. Our classes are structured to give children what they need at each level.
Parents
are encouraged to come and visit our classes so that they
can see the children and teachers "in action" in
our Montessori classrooms. Class placements are made by the Preschool Director (and teaching staff) in close collaboration with parents.
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| Penny Lawrie, our Administrative Director, handles all school
enrollment, and she will be happy to give you a tour. Please call (408) 251-8633 to arrange for a visit. When you
talk with her, she will answer your questions and she
will help you to make the class selection most appropriate
for your individual child. If your child has any special needs
or circumstances, she will also explore with you how Mandala
can meet your child's needs. |
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A
Description of Our Classes
We offer five class options to meet the unique developmental needs of EACH child. We have morning only Early Preschool and Preschool classes and afternoon Pre-Kindergarten Preschool classes. We also offer a special Friendship Class two afternoons a week that teaches social skills.
Please click here to download a PDF of the chart below. |
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| Class Name |
 |
 |
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 |
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| Definition |
Early Preschool |
Transitional Preschool |
Preschool |
Pre-Kindergarten |
Social Skills Friendship Class |
| Recommended Ages (as of Sept. 1st) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Toilet Trained |
No |
No |
Preferred |
Yes |
Preferred |
| Teacher-Child Ratio |
4 Teachers
w/ 16 Children |
4 Teachers
w/ 18 Children |
4 Teachers
w/ 32 Children |
4 Teachers
w/ 32 Children |
2 Teachers
w/ 4 -6 Children |
| Class Description |
A highly nurturing beginning class for toddlers with a focus on mastering separation, early socialization, and language acquisition. Music, movement, and floor time play are strongly emphasized. Activities are simple and fun. Transitions are limited. Children are learning turn-taking, how to listen, to use gentle hands, and to let adults comfort them. Toilet-teaching is offered as a natural part of the day. |
An introductory preschool class for the young preschooler who will benefit from a smaller environment with closer teacher attention. The class-room is enriched with hands-on learning activities that encourage curiosity and creativity, and there are many opportunities for interactive play. Children are learning to share, follow rules, participate in a group, build self-control, and communicate their needs. |
A class for the preschooler who is ready to handle more choice, additional classmates, and more transitions in a larger learning environment. The class offers many opportunities for children to take pleasure in learning and discovery and to acquire new skills. Children are learning to take initiative with peers, engage in cooperative play, manage impulses, follow instructions, share thoughts and feelings, and negotiate conflicts with each other. |
A class designed to prepare children socially, emotionally, and academically to meet the demands of kindergarten and provide them with a life-long love of learning. Children are presented with more advanced learning materials that teach academics using the whole body. Activities are geared for the older preschooler who is ready for more creative problem-solving and more cooperative social experiences. |
A special enrichment class for children who would benefit from extra support in making connections with peers and building social skills. Teachers coach children to relate to one another through interactive play activities. Children are learning mental flexibility, conversational turn-taking, problem-solving, “body-reading” awareness, and emotional regulation. |
| Times |
T / Th Morning |
MWF Morning |
T / Th, MWF, and
M - F Morning |
T / Th, MWF, and
M - F Afternoon |
Tuesdays and/or Thursdays 1 hour :
8 week sessions |
 COCOON - Early Preschool (Morning) : Age 2 - Years |
 |
This early preschool is an orientation class for children who turn two years of age by September 1st. There are three teachers in the classroom and one Teacher's Aide with 16 children. The purpose of this class is to offer young children a safe learning experience away from home that allows them to grow at their own pace in trusting relationships with adults. The teachers are highly nurturing and they are particularly sensitive to the needs of two year-olds. They help the children with separation, socialization, language development, cooperation, and independence--the all-important developmental tasks of this age group. This class has fewer changes and transitions and is geared to the pace of the two-year old. Exploration and movement are encouraged, and the teachers spend a lot of time interacting in floor time play, following the lead of the child.
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| Children in the Early Preschool do not need to be toilet-trained. Toilet-teaching is an integral part of this class. The teachers work closely with parents to help a child begin this next developmental step. |
CATERPILLARS - Transitional Preschool (Morning) : Age 2 - 3 Years |
| This is an introductory preschool class for older Two's and young Three's. It is an especially good class for the child who would do better starting preschool in a smaller environment with fewer children and closer attention from adults. There are three teachers and one teacher's aide with 18 children in this class. Children are able to move about in two large rooms and the patio work area. The purpose of this class is to encourage curiosity and creativity through hands-on learning activities and interactive play. Children are learning more cooperative skills and engaging in more peer socialization in this class. They are also working on learning how to follow rules, build self-control, participate in a small group, and communicate their needs. The curriculum is very similar to the LADYBUGS (Preschool), but it is presented in a smaller environment. |
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Children in the Caterpillars class do not need to be toilet-trained. Toilet-teaching can be integrated into the day. The teachers will work closely with parents to help a child master this step. |
LADYBUGS - Preschool (Morning) : Age 3 - 4 Years |
| Children need to be three years old by September 1st to attend this traditional preschool class for three and four year olds. There are four trained teachers with 32 children in this class. This class is for the child who is developmentally ready for more choice, more peers, a larger learning environment, and more movement between areas and activities. The children in the preschool class may choose to work in the large classroom, the art & dramatic play room, or the patio area, depending upon their choice. The purpose of this class is to give children the opportunity to develop a pleasure in learning in a supportive and enriched setting. Children at this developmental level are especially focused on strengthening their socialization skills. In this class, they learn how to take initiative with friends, engage in more cooperative and imaginative play, share their thoughts and feelings, and work together in small groups. |
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They also work on learning to manage their desires and intensity, to follow teachers' instructions, and to negotiate conflicts in a positive way.
Children in the Caterpillars class do not need to be toilet-trained. Toilet-teaching can be integrated into the day. The teachers will work closely with parents to help a child master this step. |
BUMBLEBEES - Pre-Kindergarten (Afternoon) : Age 4 - 5 Years |
 |
The afternoon classes are particularly suited to
four and five-year olds. The purpose of this class is similar to the morning preschool class, but the focus is on the needs of the pre-kindergarten child. This class is particularly designed to give children the skills they need to be ready to meet the demands of kindergarten. Our goal is to prepare children socially, emotionally, and academically to be successful learners. We want Mandala students to enter kindergarten with a strong foundation and a life-long love of learning. There are four trained teachers in this class with 32 children. In the Pre-K class, children are presented with more advanced learning materials that teach academics using their whole body. The Montessori materials are especially helpful in this respect as they teach children academics by way of hands-on experience. Children at this developmental level are ready for more conversation and group work with peers, so the activities in this class are geared |
for the older preschooler who is ready for more creative problem-solving and more cooperative social experiences. We prefer that all children of pre-kindergarten age attend the Afternoon Class. If your child has been at Mandala for two years, we highly recommend that you send him or her to this older class for the third year. Children who move on to the Afternoon Preschool Class seem much happier in the school.
Kindergarten-age children must enroll in the Afternoon Class. Morning preschool is not appropriate for five-year olds. |
SOCIAL BUTTERFLIES - Friendship Class (Social Skills Group) : Age 3 - 5 Years |
This special class runs for one hour on Tuesday and one hour on Thursday afternoons in 8-week sessions throughout the year. Children may enroll for one or more sessions. Children may enroll for one hour per week or two hours per week. The purpose of this class is to build language, interactive play skills, and connection with peers. Many children would benefit from more individualized support in the area of social skills, including everything from developing more conversational language to regulating their intensity and emotions to learning turn-taking. The teachers use floor time play and structured activities to coach children into interaction and communication with one another. With facilitation, children learn flexibility and play skills. The ratio in this class is 2 teachers to 4-6 children. Children must be enrolled in Mandala to attend this class. Click here to learn more.
Download informational flyer here. Friendship Class Registration Form |
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