Primary Program

Bannockburn’s Primary Program is open to children between 3 and 6 years old, with half-day and full-day options available.

Every day in the Primary classroom is a study in balance: Young children are purposefully working to develop cognition, concentration and independence in a nurturing and carefully prepared environment.

As with Bannockburn classrooms at all levels, the Primary environment is designed from the child’s perspective: The natural, wood furniture is scaled to size, manipulative materials are displayed in a sequential and visually-engaging manner, and teachers intently observe and respond to each child. Children develop self-control as they freely choose activities from the different areas of the classroom, and cultivate internal focus through periods of uninterrupted work. Alongside their growing knowledge and willpower, they organically learn from one another and cultivate grace and courtesy in a mixed-age environment.

Because the Primary-age child has an astounding capacity to learn and absorb, the utmost emphasis is placed on ensuring an uninterrupted work cycle. This enables the child to explore freely and learn through purposeful work in the different areas of the classroom: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Culture. Concrete, manipulative materials for each area enable the child to use the five senses to build an essential foundation of knowledge and concepts.

Each Primary classroom at Bannockburn is guided by two fully-trained Montessori teachers, whose role is to observe the child intently and to respond to his or her essential needs. Through the keen perception of the child, teachers inspire and engage with lessons at the optimal moments, support the child’s creative choices, redirect and guide when necessary, and respect the child’s need to practice with the materials.

Please contact Heather Fogarty at reception@bannockburn.ca or at 416.789.7855 to learn more about the brilliance of the Bannockburn Primary Program.