A Carden Nursery School Offers:

• A welcoming atmosphere to every boy and girl
• Quiet moments in which the child develops a sense of inner peace and contentment
• Teachers who are sympathetic to the needs of young children without indulging them
• Teachers who provide constructive guidance because they are aware of the particular needs of each child
• Teachers who develop the child's powers of observation and attention, yet refrain from creating pressure
• Teachers who guard the child's nervous system
  

The accomplishments of her students attracted the attention of educators. By the early 1940s Mae Carden was presenting courses in her educational philosophy and teaching techniques. She closed her school in 1949 to be of greater assistance to the teachers and schools who had chosen the CARDEN METHOD^®. Public and private schools in twenty-two states use Carden materials.

The curriculum begins with three-year-old children and continues through the grades, each level reinforcing and building upon the strengths gained by the student from the previous year.

The Carden Educational Foundation, organized in 1962, continues to preserve the integrity of the CARDEN METHOD^® while engaging in an ongoing program of development in keeping with current advancements in education.

The Foundation is a non-profit corporation. Contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible. Donations are appreciated.

Carden concerns itself with development of the whole child
It is highly individualized in approach, meeting the particular needs of the learner.

A sound, basic education is the heritage children receive through our academic program. There is continuity from grade to grade.

A cultural program engenders appreciation of art and music.

A drama program affords participation for every student.

A guidance program develops the student by awakening him or her to ethical and social values.

Carden teachers receive instruction in educational philosophy and teaching techniques developed by Mae Carden. They are required to attend regularly scheduled educational programs to maintain and advance the professional quality of their Carden teaching. Teachers are to be just and consistent. They must like children.

Our Purpose:

To Have Children Enjoy
An atmosphere that is both pleasant and purposeful
Agreeable companionship
Rhythms and songs
Appropriate stories and poems
Opportunities for development of independence and self-reliance
A balance between active and quiet periods

To Have Children Cultivate
A pleasant speaking voice
An appreciation of beauty
A cheerful attitude toward life

To Help Children Adjust Socially By
Getting along pleasantly
* with peers
* with adults
* by refraining from bossing

Avoiding complaining and the tendency to blame others

Overlooking unimportant annoyances

Developing conversations
* courteous replies
* polite requests

Expressing consideration for others
* delight with their successes
* interest in their activities
* concern for them when something unfortunate occurs

Our Program:

Speech
Carefully developing accurate speech with a pleasing voice

Vocabulary
Encouraging natural growth in power with words without imposing an adult vocabulary

Rhythm
Awakening children to a pleasing rhythm of speech

Singing
Cultivating pitch for children who have not yet established it
Pleasurable singing for the little ones who sing on pitch naturally

Literature
Appealing short stories
Enjoying poetry and little rhymes for little people

Numbers
Living with numbers

Art
Opportunities to experiment with clay, crayons, and paint
Welcoming and encouraging individuality of expression and creativity

Games
Simple, short games that appeal to young girls and boys

Amusements
Toys in general
Manipulative toys

Puzzles
Housekeeping toys
Blocks

French
French for young children, with games and songs