The Ontario Kindergarten curriculum was updated in 2026 to incorporate more academic rigor, with greater focus on early literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving. While these changes aim to strengthen academic foundations, they raise important questions for parents: Do schools have the proper training for staff? Are the right tools and materials in place to support meaningful learning?

At Manor Montessori, these challenges are addressed naturally. Our Casa program combines Montessori-trained teachers, a proven method, and carefully designed materials to ensure children develop strong literacy, numeracy, and logical thinking skills. Children work with Sandpaper Letters, the Moveable Alphabet, Number Rods, Golden Beads, and sensorial materials to build understanding, confidence, and independence — all within purposeful, hands-on learning experiences.

In a Casa classroom, children work with carefully designed, hands-on materials that build strong foundations in early reading, writing, and math. Skills are introduced in a clear sequence, allowing children to move from concrete experiences to abstract understanding — often leading to earlier confidence with letters, sounds, numbers, and problem-solving.

Manor Montessori introduces literacy as early as toddlerhood, beginning with language-rich environments, storytelling, and phonetic awareness.

The third phase in Montessori Casa, often referred to as the "harvesting" or "leap" year, marks a pivotal milestone for students as they amalgamate the diverse skills honed throughout their toddler and preschool years. Academically, this period is marked by a whirlwind of activity, with children engaging in tasks like math facts practice, reading, and intricate problem-solving. They immerse themselves in progressively more challenging endeavors, such as creating booklets of diverse leaf shapes meticulously colored and labeled or authoring multi-sentence stories complete with illustrations

The Montessori Method, crafted by Italian physician Dr. Maria Montessori over a century ago, continues to thrive globally in both classrooms and homes. Distinguished for its commitment to "follow the child," Montessori stands out as a progressive alternative to conventional teacher-led models. Yet, it occupies a distinctive middle ground, harmonizing individualized learning from progressive models with the academic rigor characteristic of traditional education.

In the heart of our Montessori Casa program, a beautiful synergy unfolds as our young learners delicately engage with the natural world around them. Through the gentle act of watering and dusting leaves, they embark on a journey of discovery, uncovering the unique needs of each plant under their care.

Montessori schools start with cursive, not print! This approach boosts letter recognition and motor skills, delivering a host of incredible benefits for our young learners.

In Montessori education, Practical Life studies stand as pillars of empowerment and autonomy. At the heart of this transformative journey lies the art of self-care, where even the simplest tasks become powerful opportunities for growth and mastery.

Embarking on an extraordinary journey of discovery, our students delve into the captivating world of the Montessori Roman Arch activity at Manor Montessori. Seamlessly blending learning with fun, they progress from novice architects to skilled builders, mastering the intricacies of this engineering marvel.

Crafted with precision and care, the Montessori Sound Cylinders offer a harmonious pairing game that engages both the senses and the mind. Within their cylindrical confines, beads of varying sizes and quantities produce a symphony of sounds, beckoning young learners to discern and match them with their corresponding partners.