Blogs

Choosing the right preschool is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. At Folsom Lake Montessori Academy, we understand the trust you place in us when enrolling your child. Families searching for high-quality childcare in Folsom, CA consistently choose us for our safe, nurturing environment and our commitment to Montessori education.

More than just a daycare, we are one of the most trusted preschools in Folsom, CA, offering an early childhood experience rooted in respect for the child, freedom within limits, and hands-on, purposeful learning in a thoughtfully prepared environment.

In our Montessori classrooms, children are encouraged to explore, choose their own activities, and work at their own pace. Every material has a purpose, designed to develop specific skills such as fine motor coordination, concentration, or early literacy.

Children begin with practical life activities like pouring, sweeping, and buttoning, which teach independence and care of the environment. Sensorial materials help sharpen the senses and prepare children for future academic concepts. Tools like color tablets, geometric solids, and sound boxes help children make sense of the world through exploration.

Montessori math materials—including number rods and golden beads—introduce children to counting, place value, and simple operations. In language, we focus on phonetic awareness, letter formation using sandpaper letters, and word-building through movable alphabets.

Our Montessori-trained teachers observe each child carefully and guide them based on their readiness, not age. This individualized approach builds confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

In addition to Montessori materials, we incorporate theme-based learning throughout the school year to make lessons more engaging and relatable. Monthly themes—such as community helpers, the seasons, life cycles, or continents—are explored through stories, projects, discussions, songs, visual aids and hands-on activities.

One of our favorite themes, especially at the start of the school year, is “All About Me.” This unit helps children develop self-awareness, confidence, and a sense of belonging. They create self-portraits, talk about their families and cultures, and learn about emotions and personal preferences. In art, they use mirrors to draw themselves; in language, they practice writing their names. These activities help children celebrate what makes them unique while also building empathy and community.

Themes like these foster both academic learning and social-emotional development—something every parent values in early education.

For TK

Why Our Transitional Kindergarten Program Prepares Children for Lifelong Success

As your child outgrows preschool but isn’t quite ready for kindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten (TK) provides the perfect bridge. At Folsom Lake Montessori Academy, our TK program blends academic readiness with social-emotional development—ensuring your child enters kindergarten confident, capable, and excited to learn.

Parents seeking the best TK program in Folsom choose us because we go beyond worksheets and traditional instruction. We offer a thoughtfully structured, Montessori-based TK experience that allows children to explore, question, and grow—both intellectually and emotionally.

Our TK curriculum is built around five core Montessori learning domains: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies. Each domain supports the whole child’s development through structured, hands-on experiences. In the Language area, children develop strong foundational reading and writing skills using materials such as sandpaper letters, movable alphabets, and phonetic word-building cards. These tools promote phonemic awareness, letter formation, and early writing fluency, encouraging children to express their thoughts through both spoken and written language.

In Mathematics, we introduce concrete representations of abstract concepts to help children understand numbers with confidence and joy. Materials such as the ten board, teen board, and hundred board guide children through counting, sequencing, and place value recognition. The 45 layout provides a visual and tactile understanding of quantity and the decimal system, laying a solid foundation for addition, subtraction, and beyond. These math activities foster logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills.

We also place a strong emphasis on social-emotional growth. Children are gently guided to express emotions appropriately, collaborate with peers, resolve conflicts peacefully, and build empathy.

A unique feature of our TK program is our focus on early public speaking. Children engage in structured opportunities to speak in front of their classmates—through “Show and Tell,” sharing stories, or simple classroom presentations. These experiences nurture oral communication, confidence, active listening, and respect for others’ voices. By year’s end, many children can speak clearly and proudly in front of a group—laying the foundation for future classroom and life success.

Our TK teachers are Montessori-trained and experienced in early education. They gently guide children, offering a balance of independence and support. Our classrooms are calm and well-organized to promote focus, movement, and respect for others

We understand that every family has unique needs. That’s why we offer both full-day and half-day TK options to give parents flexibility and children the consistency they need to thrive. Half-day TK is perfect for families who want a shorter, focused schedule. Mornings are filled with core academic work, Montessori lessons, and social interaction. Full-day TK extends the day with additional learning, enrichment classes, rest or quiet time, extracurricular activities and outdoor play. This option is ideal for families seeking comprehensive childcare in CA paired with a high-quality educational program.

If you’re exploring the best TK program in Folsom, we invite you to tour Folsom Lake Montessori Academy. Whether you need half-day or full-day support, we provide nurturing, structured, and inspiring childcare in CA that prepares children for a lifetime of learning.

Contact us today to schedule your visit. We look forward to meeting you and supporting your child’s next big step.