The years spent in pre-school are the most impressionable in a child’s life. Chennai Public School offers a choice of Kindergarten and Montessori curriculum with an in-house after-school program for young learners in the age group of 2 ½ years to 5 ½ years and we focus on Behavioural Education. This child centric curriculum embraces both indoor and outdoor activities to prepare pre-schoolers for enriching experiences in life.

“The stimulating, exciting, safe, academically enriched, integrated-learning environment of Chennai Public School is conducive for a smooth transition from home to classic schooling under the able guidance of high calibre, knowledgeable, reflective and qualified early childhood professionals using the latest trends in education".

American Montessori

Chennai Public School Montessori has three levels of learning according to age, viz, Environment I – Caterpillar (2½ to 3½ years) Environment II – Pupae (3½ to 4½ years) Environment III – Butterfly (4½ to 5½ years) We follow the American International Montessori methodology upto 5 years whereafter they get enrolled into the traditional stream in the Class 1. At Chennai Public School, we stress on writing practise also to give the child an easy transition into class 1. During this period, children are prepared for the next stage in their learning process. As expounded by Maria Montessori, the system permits the child to explore their natural instincts and learn as per their own need and phase at any given moment. This formative stage is indeed a highly sensitive period and research has proved that the child picks up much faster when given the freedom to choose their own activity in tune with their innate sense of curiosity. The Montessori program is unique in that it includes the following distinctive characteristics: Child Directed Approach Individualized Instruction Aesthetically Designed Environment and Materials Whole Language Approach to Reading Mixed Age Grouping The teachers at Chennai Public School are qualified and certified in Montessori Methodology. They are trained to respect the individuality and natural proclivities of the child in the process of acquiring knowledge through hands-on experience. 4 Learning zones in Montessori Language : The development of language at Chennai Public School includes speaking, reading, and writing. The child first works with pre-reading activities such as sets of pictures for vocabulary development; pictures to place in sequence; objects or pictures to discriminate similarities and differences; and the Sandpaper Letters to learn the sounds of the letters by using the three senses of sight, touch, and hearing. The child progresses through the phonetic reading program using Sandpaper Letters, Movable Alphabets, pictures arranged by phonetic skill and word labels. These special materials play an important role in aiding the child develop the powers of communication and expression, of organization and classification, and the development of thought. Mathematics: Young children are in a sensitive period for order – and the study of math helps to satisfy the needs and interests that go along with this developmental stage. Children are exposed to materials with which they explore mathematical principles as early as 2 ½ or 3 years of age, and the curriculum follows them as they develop skills and understanding. Montessori Math includes the development of concepts such as numeration, place value, decimal system and the basic operations of addition, subtraction. Basic materials used for learning this concept are Number Rods, Sandpaper Numerals, Spindle Boxes, and Cards and Counters, Static and Golden Beads etc. Sensorial Exercises: Sensorial Materials in the Montessori classroom are designed to sharpen the senses of the young child and enable the child to understand the impressions he/she receives through them. The sensorial materials isolate one defining quality such as color, weight, shape, texture, size, distance, speed, sound or smell. These exercises help the child to distinguish, categorize, and relate new information to what he/she already knows. Exercises of Practical Life (EPL) : Children are introduced initially to practical with most of the materials at home but has not laid their hands over them. This attracts them to choose EPL activities that give them independence and control of their own life. The exercises of Practical Life fall into four major categories: Care of the Self, Care of the Environment, Grace and Courtesy, and Control of Movement. These practical exercises develop concentration, gross and fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, good working habits and pay attention to details as the child follows a regular sequence of actions.

Kindergarten

This regular system is available for those who wish to follow the traditional stream. Chennai Public School Kindergarten has three levels of learning according to age: Level I - Pre KG (2½ to 3½ years) Level II - Lower KG (3½ to 4½ years) Level III - Upper KG (4½ to 5½ years) This curriculum fosters the child’s holistic development through variegated learning opportunities. Parents are encouraged to enroll the child for the entire three-year kindergarten course in order to provide the child the right, steady growth before it is ultimately integrated into class 1 in regular school. Our Kindergarten atmosphere has set educational goals engaging children in Froebel’s play way method to become co-players through self analysis, sensorial exploration and composite problem solving. The kindergarten section teachers are well trained and qualified to handle children with utmost care and affection so that they develop a sense of belongingness and respect for their teachers. Chennai Public School works towards the following 6 learning outcomes in the Pre-primary Programme.

Vistas Opened

Chennai Public School Pre-primary opens the vistas for stimulating every child’s natural desire to learn, acquire and master skills through hands-on multifarious activities. Going Creative: Children’s aesthetic sensitivity, imagination and creativity are appreciated by their participation in diversified art activities such as music, dance and visual arts. Mesmerising Music: Hearing music, singing songs, and moving to the beat incline the children to a rich musical experience to build a higher self esteem, concentration and considerable social, emotional and physical benefits. Self & Society Programs: Activities involving natural environment and community resources are an integral part of the daily activities. This fosters a lot of awareness to instill the thought of sharing the responsibilities of the globe. Festivals Honoured: Culture builds societies and to experience various cultures, religious festivals are celebrated to develop tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect for communities that paves way for harmonious social living. Outdoor Free Play: The outdoor enables pre-schoolers not only to practice and master emerging physical skills but also develop motor skills fully and freely. Learning Life Skills: Life skills learning helps them to develop good habits, gives them daily "real life" opportunities to practice fine and gross motor skills, and ultimately teaches them to be more responsible, independent and self-confident. In sum, whether the child is admitted in the Kindergarten or Montessori stream, he or she gets a head start in life at the early learning hub of Chennai Public School. “A happy place where every little child is eager to step in and share the life of learning in a joyous way."