Supplemental activities to expand the child’s learning experience
Exposing young children to broader experiences than ABCs and 123s is what Montessori schools do best. Our enrichment programs are created to add more interest, new learning opportunities, sensory stimulation and enjoyment to the regular curriculum. Music, Yoga, Tumbling, Spanish and Cooking are offered weekly, enhancing the Toddler and Primary programs.
Music
There is no question that music has a positive effect on children’s social and intellectual development, so our very youngest toddlers through our kindergartners are given the opportunity to participate in music classes. These lively sessions allow kids to play instruments, sing, dance, clap and develop a love of music and movement.
Yoga
Our students 2-1/2 years and up can enjoy Yoga, which gives the kids a chance to move! The children learn basic Yoga poses and breathing techniques, and we also explore peace and mindfulness. But we don’t forget to laugh, and even do some Yoga-inspired crafts!
Tumbling
Now this enrichment program is all about having fun! From 18 months old and up, children can enjoy rolling, climbing, stretching, running and jumping in a safely equipped gym designed just for them. Movement is the best way to get their energy out and nourish their minds with a healthy view of exercise and playing together.
Cooking
Our little chefs aged 2-1/2 years to 6 years learn to cook and bake from scratch in our carefully supervised cooking enrichment program. The next Emerils and Rachael Rays learn how to measure, mix, follow a recipe and turn out truly tasty creations that give them a sense of pride and satisfaction.
Spanish
Few things help expand a child’s horizons more than learning a second language. We begin Spanish instruction at age 3, which exposes our students to another language, developing their cognitive abilities, and also immersing them in cultural aspects that help them to be more worldly.
“The senses, being explorers of the world, open the way to knowledge.”
Testimonials
Our 3-year old daughter attends Somerset Hills Montessori School. The school is truly a “home away from home” for her. The teachers are exceptional and the personalized attention that she gets is unmatched. We’ve seen growth in her vocabulary and learning more everyday. We are so grateful to have found this school and truly appreciate everything the teachers are doing for her each and everyday.
We have two children who attended SHMS in both the Kindergarten and the three-year old classrooms. The teachers are wonderful… not only they are great at inspiring learning in our kids but they are also very care while they teach. The Montessori method is by far the best for our family, my children are far ahead of any academic expectations we had initially at the beginning of our time at this school. This is because they aren’t forced to sit at a desk all day but are encouraged to follow their individual interests while they learn. I appreciate that the school is smaller in size and more like an extended family, even teachers that are not ours are familiar with our kids and their personalities and needs. I also appreciate that children are taught mutual respect between classmates and with adults, manners are reinforced and kindness is the key theme that carries across schoolwork and playtime. I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a caring, intimate and nurturing environment that also does an equally excellent job at providing a place where children enjoy learning.
The SHMS family has been instrumental in the personal and educational development of my three children. I can’t speak highly enough about the overall educational and social teachings the school provides to the children. The staff is very caring and I have witnessed firsthand how the children thrive on the personal enrichment that is given to each child.
Simply AMAZING! Our daughter is in the kindergarten class now and has been with the school since she was 2. She can’t wait to go to school each morning and doesn’t want to leave. It never ceases to amaze us how much they teach her, not just academically but socially as well. The teachers have all been there for years and are truly committed and passionate about what they do. We had visited many day cares in the area before, but SHMS really stood out for us. We are so glad that a friend recommended this school to us. Our younger son is also there now and we are confident that he will get the same strong foundation that the school provided and continue to provide his sister. To top it off, it is very reasonably priced. WE LOVE the school and can’t thank the teachers enough for what they have done and continue to do for our kids.
The team at SHMS was like a second family for my children. The atmosphere was fun, caring and fostered academic, personal, social growth and development. The Montessori education allowed my children to learn at their own pace and by the time they entered Kindergarten they were much further along than many of their peers. My children looked forward to school every day.
This is an amazing group of genuine caring women who go above and beyond on a daily basis. The school operates like a ballet without a beat missed. I am truly grateful to have each one of these women in my son’s life and mine! It is a wonderful thing knowing my son is growing and learning in trusting and loving hands. I love SHMS!