To foster a positive self-image in children, helping them to feel secure, independent, self confident and happy. • To encourage a love of learning.  • To recognize and appreciate each child's strengths and to offer appropriate developmental challenges.  • To foster an appreciation of and respect for each person's special capacities, interests and worth.  • To learn to be comfortable socially, with caring and respect for each other. The Winfield Children's House offers a Montessori-based, developmental program of learning for children ages two through six years. The intention of our program is to foster a love of learning and to educate children to be caring, socially responsible citizens of their community and world. Our program is rich in meaningful experiences, which nurture the child's sense of self and is based on the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. For Dr. Montessori and for Winfield Children's House, education is preparation for life. Winfield offers a child-centered and multi-sensory environment. The curriculum, classroom and teachers' role are all carefully designed to honor self-paced growth, while encouraging group awareness and social cooperation. In the classrooms, each curriculum area has its own set of materials placed on child-sized shelves to allow for free choice. The curriculum is presented in an ordered fashion through lessons and is also sequenced on the shelves from simple to more difficult, concrete to abstract. From the toddler program through the kindergarten program, the curriculum is designed to provide integrated age-appropriate experiences in the sciences, arts, cultural studies, geography, math and language. The emphases of the curriculum are to empower children of all learning styles and develop their independent growth. The classroom materials isolate a specific skill or concept. Children choose materials and work at their own pace, uninterrupted, often repeating a process many times. This practice allows for the inner mastery of the isolated skill the material offers. The teacher acts as a designer of the environment, resource person and guide, role model, demonstrator of materials, record-keeper and meticulous observer of each child's behavior and growth. The teacher is a person who interprets instead of judges and is a vital link between the child and the environment. The teacher introduces materials to the children, gradually helping them to use materials independently. Please contact us with any questions you may have: Winfield Children's House 207.797.8101 161 Field Road Falmouth, ME 04105