Montessori Children's Group
LOUSKÁČEK (Nutcracker)
"We uncover the secrets of every little nut."
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2024/2025, WE STILL HAVE 2 PLACES AVAILABLE! (WE PRIORITISE CHILDREN WHO WILL ATTEND THE GROUP FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION.) Please feel free to apply here.
...I see and I forget, I hear and I remember, I do and I understand...
Confucius
We have been operating a Montessori pre-school institution since 2018. Since September 2019, we have become a children's group and offer the opportunity to place your child in the Montessori children's group LOUSKÁČEK, which follows the Montessori programme in Náměšť nad Oslavou. The capacity is 12 children with 2-3 educators (depending on the current number of children). The children are in a mixed-age group (3-6 years), which positively impacts social integration; younger children "observe" skills from older ones and learn more quickly, while older children naturally assist younger ones with certain tasks. Attendance can be either full-day or half-day (3-5 days a week). In case of high demand, we prioritise children with full-week attendance.
Throughout the year, enrolment of children into the group takes place through an application form. Once the capacity is filled or the application period has ended, a parents' meeting will be announced to provide the contractual documentation, detailed information about the school year, and more.
WHY NUTCRACKER?
We chose the name Louskáček - or Nutcracker in English - for several reasons, including its diversity and its connection to Montessori education
NUTCRACKER:
As a tool that requires manual work, it reflects the Montessori principle that the hand is the instrument of the mind (everything first passes through the hands and is then stored in the brain).
As a tool that we master with ease over time; much like in Montessori, where repetition leads to the refinement of movements and actions.
It helps us uncover the secrets inside the nut after breaking through the hard shell; just as in Montessori, we discover the essence or secrets after understanding the principles of working with materials or activities.
It symbolizes "hard work" (physical effort) to crack the nut; similarly, in Montessori education, focused work with materials or activities is essential.
The educational plan for the LOUSKÁČEK group is inspired by the Framework Educational Programme for Pre-School Education, which serves as a guideline for the education of pre-school children in the Czech Republic. The education of children incorporates principles from Montessori pedagogy, the educational concept of "Respect and be Respected," Waldorf pedagogy, experiential education, and others.
Children learn in a heterogeneously and age-mixed group within a uniquely prepared environment. They learn through practical activities, with a strong emphasis on hands-on work and using special didactic materials.
One day a week (Friday), children spend the morning in the gym.
One day a week, children go on a "field trip".
In our education, we focus on:
- Developing a relationship with oneself, other people, and the world we live in
- Self-care, care for others, and care for the environment
- Learning to cooperate
- Refining the senses
- Conscious acquisition of mathematics and Czech language
We teach children the concept of natural consequences rather than punishment, focusing on problem-solving in every situation, being aware of feelings, allowing mistakes, and learning from them. We provide support, empathy, and equal opportunities. During education, educators primarily observe the children and prepare the environment and materials for the sensitive period in which each child is currently situated. The child's internal motivation guides them to choose activities that attract, fulfill, develop, and satisfy them.
We respect and adhere to Montessori principles for each child individually, including the absorbent mind, concentration—polarization of attention, independence, order, sensitive periods, free choice, prepared environment, moving from the concrete to the abstract, refinement of the senses, working with mistakes, abstraction and imagination, transitioning from inactivity to activity, boundaries and rules, movement, independent work, and collaboration.
The main room is divided into work areas based on different activity fields. Here, children will find a prepared environment with:
- Materials for practicing daily life skills
- Materials that develop all the senses
- Materials for the foundations of writing and reading
- Materials for acquiring mathematical skills
- Tools for painting, gluing, cutting, and modelling
- Materials that introduce us to the world around us
- Materials for experimentation (scales, magnets, keys, etc.)
- Tools for developing gross motor skills
- A reading corner for listening to stories and looking at pictures
