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SBFCCA Member
Juliette Lefevre — Sunflower Children Montessori
License No. 426213372
Capacity: 6 children
Ages served: 15 months–4 yearsHours of Operation:
Mondays–Fridays, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.*
(Bilingual French-English interaction throughout the day)
Location: Montecito
Phone:259-5384
Philosophy
I honor the special way children approach new experiences, through keen observation and in the attentive preparation of an enriched environment which responds to their changing needs and interests. Curriculum moves alongside the children’s processes and their unique ability to create worlds of exploration out of the beauty of their surroundings.
I feel strongly that hands-on play with developmentally appropriate materials is the pathway to their developing a love of learning and a strong foundation for a lifetime! The best way for children to learn how not to spill, for example, is to practice their skill of pouring over and over again until their muscles, coordination, and concentration have developed in such a way that they spill no longer! My program aims to balance joyful learning, independent thinking and curiosity, creativity and imagination, in an indoor/outdoor setting where children can experience the beauty of nature and nurture their sense of wonder.
The children will be exploring Nature, planting flowers and vegetables throughout the year; art, music and rhyme (in French and in English!) are all a part of the experience. The Montessori philosophy of respect for the child and his/her freedom will be woven in as natural part of the daily rhythm. All activity is guided by a respect for the play and work of others, a respect for self, and a respect of the materials themselves. This allows a flow and harmony to naturally unfold as the children develop a deep love for the classroom that becomes truly their own.
Benefits of a Bilingual Environment
Maria Montessori believed that the young child’s mind, from birth to age 6 is the “sensitive period” for language acquisition. This is the period of life in which the brain is most capable of absorbing one or any number of languages with no effort at all. Modern linguistic and neurological research confirms her findings.
Learning language at an early age, in particular before age 5:
- has a positive effect on intellectual growth;
- enriches and enhances a child’s mental development;
- leaves a child with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening;
- improves a child’s understanding of his/her native language;
- gives a child the ability to communicate with people s/he would otherwise not have the chance to know;
- opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries;
- gives a student a head start in language requirements for college;
- increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset.
Source: Northern and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University (Providence, RI) and Centre for Applied Linguistics (Washington, DC), May 2005
Bilingual exposure at a very young instills a broad cultural awareness within a world that is increasingly becoming close-knit: with the increased ability for people to travel all over the world, the wide accessibility of the internet, and the fact that more and more people are moving to countries outside of their birth nation, we are more likely to meet with people from other cultures. Language is infused with all subtleties of a culture’s ways and, in my experience, greatly facilitates the learning of additional languages.
My experience of bilingualism is having been born in France to a French father and an American mother. My brother and I attended bilingual schools from preschool all the way through high school. Our parents spoke to us each in their native tongue, and while my first language was French and my brother’s was English, we both are completely bilingual. We have both travelled the world extensively and have great sensitivity and respect for cultures all over the globe.
Education, Honors, and Certifications
- Ongoing — Early Childhood Education, President’s Honor Roll, Santa Barbara City College.
Over 30 units completed in Early Childhood Education, including Infant/Toddler care.- 2009 — RIE Infant Toddler Conference, “Letting Our Babies Be Babies: Slowing Down in a Fast-Paced World”
- 2008 — Professional Growth Advisor, Child Development Training Consortium
Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, Commission on Teacher Credentialing- 2005–2007 —Lead Teacher (8 children ages 2 1/2 to 4 1/2), Sunrise Montessori Preschool
- 2004 — International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy, Montessori Centre International,
London (Assistant Teacher, Orchard House Montessori School)- 2002 — B.A. African Studies, University of London
- 1998 — International Baccalaureate, Lyçee International of St.Germain-En-Laye, France
- National Association for the Education of Young Children, Member
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Member: Santa Barbara City College
CPR and First Aid CertifiedI am a lifelong learner, and always strive to further my knowledge and professional growth by attending conferences, taking classes and sharing experiences and ideas with other Early Childhood professionals.
Sunflower Children Montessori Daily Routine
Goals and objectives
I aim for Sunflower Children Montessori to become a haven for young children to fulfill their inner potential; a place for self-discovery and an environment in which peace becomes a natural part of everyday life. The bilingual aspect of the program, through its opening of cultural awareness and respect and understanding of others, embraces the Montessori principle of education for peace.
Juliette Lefevre
