Metairie Pre-K/Kindergarten Class

The Pre-K/K class has a very welcoming and spacious outlay that makes for a conducive environment to choose work.  With an abundance of windows luminating the class and allowing natural sunlight to flow through, the sounds of nature are in full throttle. Children in the Pre-K/K class are in a prepared learning environment designed to meet their individual needs and to assure them the opportunity to reach their full potential.  The shelves in the Pre-K/Kindergarten class are lined with works that are progressive, moving from simple to complex and concrete to abstract.  All is designed around the developmental needs as well as the interests of the individual child, based on the observations of the Montessori teacher, trained to identify those needs as they occur.  Math, Language, Sensorial, Practical Life, Science, Geography, and The Arts are all part of the three-year program. 

In the multi-age 3-year Pre-K/K program, the young child has the opportunity to look to the older child for social and academic guidance.  In return, the older child has the opportunity to develop a high level of self-esteem and most certainly a greater sense of responsibility.  This provides the basis for a high sense of community within the classroom and among the children as individuals.  The development of the child--mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally is enhanced by the multi-age status of the classroom.  With a great emphasis on the lessons of Grace and Courtesy, the child learns respect for his peers, for his environment, and for the world in which he lives.  Academically, socially, and emotionally, each year provides a unique opportunity for the child to advance so that by the end of his third year, he is ready to meet all the challenges of first grade in every way.

The Pre-K/K child is exposed to exercises that employ movement, manipulatives, and free choice (within limits).  In the Montessori class, free choice means the child may choose work on which he has had a lesson; work that he uses properly and returns properly and to work in groups with his peers.  From following these guidelines, the child develops a sense of personal responsibility for making the right choice to properly care for his environment and his peers by putting his work away in consideration of the next person wanting to use the work.  He develops a sense of independence by learning, through Practical Life activities, how to wash, clean and dry his work as necessary, sweep the floor, scrub the table and chairs, mop, bake, sew on a button, etc.  He learns how to use his words with a peer when he is angry, hurt, or not understanding.  At the conclusion of this 3-year program, the child is well on his way to becoming a good citizen of the world, of reaching his full potential as a human being, and most importantly, for becoming a life-long learner. 

Michele Trosclair
PreK/Kindergarten Team Leader

Michele joined our Kinder Haus staff full time in January, 2010. She is the mother of two children Brianna and Brian. She has previous experience working in traditional preschool programs. Michele received her Montessori certification through North American Montessori Center. Some of her interests in her free time are reading, writing, being outdoors and spending time with her children.

Jennifer Graffeo
PreK/Kindergarten Team Member

Ms. Jennifer has been a part of the Kinder Haus family since July 2010. She has prior experience in a Montessori environment, and her love of children brought her back. She has a BA in English and is currently hard at work earning her Montessori certification. In her spare time, she helps out with the Humane Society and sheltering rescue animals for different organizations. She also enjoys reading and writing poetry. Ms. Jennifer says, “The most important thing about me is that I will love your children as though they were my own.”

Naheed Tabasum
PK/K Team Member

Mrs. Naheed joined our team in January 2009 and brought with her a knowledge that has proven to be helpful in all classes. While earning her Masters in Political Science, she began teaching at a Montessori school in her native country of Pakistan. It didn’t take long, ten days to be exact, for her to realize that teaching was her passion. She continued to teach Montessori for eight years before moving to the United States. Upon her arrival in the states, she worked at a Montessori school in Virginia for another two years. Eventually, she made her way down south and we were lucky enough to have her join our Kinder Haus family. In her spare time, Mrs. Naheed enjoys reading, singing, and dancing with her daughter.

Kim Lanclos
PreK/K Afternoon Team Lead & Admin

Kim joined our Kinder Haus staff in the Fall of 2008. Kim is also the mother of 14 year old Cassidy and Dylan who is in our Pre-School Class. In the past Kim has worked in the medical field and various child care settings. Her love of children and desire to teach brought her to us. She is completing Montessori classes on-line. Kim enjoys spending time with her children, going to the park, and movies.