After observing childhood development phases, the Italian doctor Maria Montessori (1870-1952) founded a new school of education, which has, in the meantime, become well-known around the world.

The child was and is at the center of her educational thinking. Each child's "inner blueprint", the strength to develop his or her own personality, should be accompanied and encouraged with love and care by adults.
Throughout his or her development, each child experiences several sensitive phases of learning ability, during which the teachers can offer appropriate materials and time (help me to help myself). For example, children learn to read best if they desire to read at that time.

Children are accepted and encouraged as individuals, so they can be released into their further life with the highest possible level of independence and self-confidence. This is supported by letting the children be responsible for some everyday tasks at kindergarten. The children learn to be helpful and considerate towards each other and to treat their fellow students with respect and tolerance.

Maria Montessori understood education as an aid for living. Her teaching methods are intended to give the child the opportunity to develop a well-balanced nature, to become a responsible adult, capable of thinking and acting in a social manner, viewing oneself as a confident citizen in a democratic society.

At Chocolate Butterflies the elements of Montessori teaching are put into practice throughout the entire day, starting with free playing time in a supportive environment and including looking after minor daily chores or doing arts and crafts independently, to name but a few examples. In the Montessori-corner, the children can use a wide range of classical Montessori-materials, e.g. the pink tower, the brown staircase, insertable cylinders, the colored cylinder, binomic dice, etc. and play in peaceful surroundings.

Traditional kindergarten activities

Furthermore, our educational program is enhanced by varied aspects of traditional kindergarten teaching.

The characteristic method of kindergarten teaching promotes individual encouragement in accordance with each child's own stage of development. A broad range of materials help the children to develop their personality, e.g. easels, a selection of books (regularly changed), jigsaw puzzles and games.

Classic kindergarten activities include…

circle time, where various topics are discussed, a story is shared, or songs are sung,
the building corner with varied materials (Brio model railway, wooden pieces, Lego, marbles and natural materials) and
the doll corner with regularly changing items (doll kitchen, dress-up box, medical kit, shop).

The children are encouraged to use the entire range of fun and games. We change the materials several times each year to harmonize with the children's stage of development, to keep their senses aroused and to promote the children's creativity.

In addition to traditional kindergarten work, the entire time at kindergarten is also a time for preparing to go to school. The children are introduced to the basics required for school (colors, shapes, numbers, etc.). They are also taught how to hold a pen properly, learn how to cut (in order to improve their dexterity), as well as participate in exercises to improve their concentration. The development of the children's social behavior plays a crucial role.

In the last year of kindergarten before starting school we prepare the children for school with an intensive program. The "big kids" go on extra field trips und have pre-school lessons at least once a week, during which activities are offered that correspond to their age and developmental stage.

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