Programs We Offer / Programas Que Ofrecemos
Kukumi Montessori provides a nurturing environment where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Each program stage is designed to meet the developmental needs of students, encouraging independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Casa de los Niños (Children's House): Ages 3–6
In this foundational stage, children are immersed in an environment that promotes self-discipline and independence through hands-on learning.
● Exploration Through Learning: Children choose activities from self-correcting materials, fostering focus and decision-making skills.
● Holistic Development: Encouraging perseverance, responsibility, and social interaction.
● Multicultural Curriculum: Activities in geography, history, art, music, and movement enhance their understanding of the world.
Program Options:
● Half-Day: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Ages 3–4.5)
● Full-Day: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM (Ages 4.5–6, starting January 2024)
Taller 1: Ages 6–9
This program builds on the foundation of Casa de los Niños, offering more complex academic and social development.
● Integrated Learning: Students explore subjects like mathematics, science, and history through interconnected lessons.
● Cosmic Education: Children learn their place in the universe, developing a broader global perspective.
● Hands-On Learning: Active engagement with Montessori materials promotes critical thinking.
● Social & Emotional Growth: Collaboration and empathy-building are central to this stage.
Program Schedule:
● Full-Day: 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Montessori environment / Ambiente Montesori
At Kukumi Montessori, we use the term “environment” to describe spaces that go beyond the traditional concept of a classroom. These environments are intentionally crafted to align with Montessori principles, fostering a love for learning, independence, and exploration in every child.
● Prepared Environment: Our teachers bring over 15 years of combined experience in Montessori methods, ensuring that each environment is thoughtfully designed to reflect the core values of the Montessori philosophy. These spaces include hands-on, self-correcting materials that engage children and inspire meaningful exploration.
● Child-to-Teacher Ratio: For children ages 3–6, our environment maintains a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention for each child. As part of fostering independence, all students in this age group must be able to use the bathroom on their own, reflecting one of Montessori's key principles: empowering children to develop self-sufficiency and confidence.
● Outdoor Learning Spaces: We value the importance of connecting with nature, which is why our outdoor learning spaces are an extension of the classroom. From gardening activities to physical play, children experience learning in a natural environment, enhancing both cognitive and emotional growth.
● Cultural Representation: At Kukumi Montessori, we foster a deep appreciation for diversity by celebrating cultural traditions throughout the year. Our environments incorporate hands-on, immersive experiences that connect students with the rich heritage of their peers. For example, we invite families to share their unique customs and traditions, allowing children to explore firsthand the ways different cultures celebrate milestones, holidays, and everyday life. This continuous engagement creates a vibrant, inclusive community where respect and understanding flourish, enriching every child’s learning experience.
At Kukumi Montessori, the environment is more than just a space for learning—it’s a vibrant, dynamic setting where children grow, create, and discover their unique potential. By blending these thoughtful elements, we cultivate well-rounded individuals equipped to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Partnership with Parents: A Community of Connection |
Alianza con los Padres: Una Comunidad de Conexión
At Kukumi Montessori, we emphasize that education is a collaborative effort between the school and the families we serve. Parents are an integral part of our community, not merely dropping off their children but actively engaging in their educational journey.
We encourage parents to immerse themselves in the Montessori philosophy to foster realistic expectations and to truly understand the unique methods shaping their child’s learning. This partnership ensures that the Montessori principles extend beyond the environment into the home, creating a seamless experience for the child’s development.
Our community fosters meaningful connections, offering parents opportunities to share books, stories, and experiences with one another. This network serves as a valuable resource, helping families build relationships and find support among peers who share a common dedication to their child’s growth.
Together, we nurture a space where children and their families thrive as part of a vibrant, interconnected community.
The Gift of the Elephant: Mindfulness for Children |
El Regalo del Elefante: Mindfulness para Niños
"The Gift of the Elephant: Mindfulness for Children" is the answer to a need that has long been overlooked. Our children are our greatest treasure. As parents and educators, we strive to provide them with the best tools to grow into well-rounded, productive, and happy adults. We send our children to school with the hope that they will acquire these tools, but something is not working. The current educational system, at best, focuses on academic and technological knowledge about the outside world, but something is missing in our approach.
What is missing in education? We have neglected the development of our children's inner lives.
For generations, we have asked our children to pay attention, yet we have never taught them how to train their attention span. We have encouraged them to be compassionate, empathetic, and supportive, but we have never shown them strategies to cultivate these virtues. We have forgotten to teach them how to develop the ability to be at peace with themselves and the world around them.
The Dalai Lama has emphasized the need to create programs and social resources that can be taught in any educational and cultural setting, to help children educate not only their minds but also their hearts. It is essential to develop methodologies that promote ethical growth and cultivate virtues such as empathy, compassion, resilience, conflict resolution, as well as self-awareness and emotional self-regulation. We must equip children with strategies to find calm and inner peace amidst the fast-paced and dehumanized nature of modern life.