The Preprimary Years

“The first essential for the child’s development is concentration. The child who concentrates is immensely happy.”

Dr. Maria Montessori

A child’s first experience of school sets the tone for years to come. Between the ages of 3 and 6 children love to learn, and from the earliest age do so through their senses. They touch, feel and explore everything in their world.

The Montessori education system builds on this innate instinct, and makes each child’s first days in school a process of increasingly focused discovery. This lays the groundwork for the more rigorous learning experiences that will come later.

Simply put, the goal of the Preprimary years is to help each child fall in love with learning. Exercises in practical life, language development, mathematics, geography, history, biology, music, art and religion are offered. Each child is shown how to use the Montessori materials, and the self-correcting quality of the work chosen enables each to participate as his or her own teacher. Meanwhile guided repetition helps each child focus and gain greater confidence in his or her abilities.

Gradually a sense of independence emerges and the delight that comes with knowing “I can do it by myself.” Younger children are in class for half of each day. Kindergarten students remain at Mercy for a full school day, beginning the transition between the preprimary and elementary years.  In this transition, they begin foreign language instruction.  Spanish is offered within their school day one day per week.

Beyond schoolwork, these early years are also a time when children learn to create loving and respectful bonds among themselves. Throughout their education at Mercy children will remain with the same teacher in each level (ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12) for a period of three years. This continuity fosters supportive and enduring relationships with each other.

The Preprimary curriculum also includes swimming instruction, religion gym, and outdoor education (Farmessori and Ecolab).

"Mercy truly is magical. My daughter is THRIVING. She came to Mercy at age 3 not talking that much. And now she is so full of life, has so many words, songs, and is so expressive. I can tell that she is so happy. And it is so fun getting to know this version of her now. Thank you Mercy!"

-Kristin, Current Parent

Preprimary Materials