Smart Start Learning Center, 2882 Ohara Ave, Brentwood, CA 94513, US

HistoryThe Curriculum Children from birth through age six are building the structure and character that they will have for the rest of their lives. While imagination and pretending play vital roles in this development, children need real, accurate information with which to build that structure and character. For this reason, Fountainhead Montessori's curriculum is reality-based. This means that, as far as possible, teachers use accurate--even scientific--language and materials. For example, animals are studied along with their natural environments. They don't speak like humans, and they don't wear clothes. Literature may be entertaining and fun, even silly, but it doesn't include fairies or superheroes. At Fountainhead, fantasy may come from a child's imagination, but it is not imposed on the child by the teacher. Beliefs and a heritage of stories and traditions are respected as being best left to the family.SpecialtiesEducational Philosophy Dr. Maria Montessori revolutionized education with her dynamic theories, which are the basis for Fountainhead's educational philosophy. Each child is an individual accorded the respect due to every person. At the same time, children are not miniature adults; instead they think and learn in ways unique to their special time in life. Every child is nurtured physically, psychologically, cognitively, and spiritually. Fountainhead Montessori provides an environment for children to literally create themselves through purposeful activity. Children through the age of six experience and learn through all of their senses. Everything is hands-on. When activity is purposeful, developmentally appropriate, and, above all, fun, learning is joyful.