Our Philosophy

At Labonte Learning House, our indoor and outdoor classrooms are specially curated to spark curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity.

Our child-led curriculum is inspired by the Maria Montessori Method. Our cheerful classrooms present hands-on learning materials and displays. Students will discover new things everyday! In addition to our classical preschool subjects, students will have the opportunity to learn practical life skills. This style of teaching tailor’s learning to each child’s specific interests, needs, and abilities.

Meet the Director

My name is Claire Mayes, and I am the Director and lead preschool/pre-k teacher at the Labonte Learning House in Douglas, a state licensed preschool. This growing Montessori school is my heart and soul and I am thrilled to share the Montessori pedagogy at Labonte Learning House.

I attended college at UNO (Omaha, NE) for biology and horticulture. From there, moved to Maine where I worked as a farm hand on a biodynamic farm where we raised a variety of organic produce and livestock. My farming journey then took me to New Mexico, where I managed a small farm at a Montessori elementary school. This is where my dream to start a small indoor/outdoor school really unfolded. I continued to work at various farms and ranches in Western Nebraska and Colorado.

I moved to Laramie, WY in 2016, and worked as the Assistant Director at the Montessori Children’s House of Laramie (preschool). I attended the Montessori Assistant training at MECR in Boulder, CO and studied the philosophy. This pedagogy has been an integral part of my life starting with my own early childhood Montessori education in Omaha, NE . I attended the Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Denver, CO to become certified as an ECE Montessori teacher through AMS (American Montessori Society). I love teaching early literacy to 3-6 year-olds and by using the Science of Reading approach and the unmatched quality and precision of the Montessori materials themselves.

I am grateful for this opportunity to share my biggest passion and joy of learning with the preschoolers and their families in our community!

Subjects and Focus Areas

Pre-Math

Pre-Science

  • Recognize and name numbers, count, add and take away numbers.

  • Patterns and sequencing

  • Learn about weather, seasons, the solar system, nature’s elements, animal groups, life cycles of animals, and much more!

  • Explore our outdoor garden! We will learn about plants, insects, soil, and how to grow our own food!

Art, Music, Movement

  • Art is a great way to use self-expression, fine motor skills, and creativity. We will have weekly projects and learn to use different mediums of art.

  • Music and movement are another form of self-expression. We will learn rhythm, study musical instruments, and develop gross motor skills through movement.

Phonics, Reading, Writing, Languages

  • Learn the alphabet sounds and letters!

  • Learn to write your name, and recognize smaller words.

  • Learn to sound out and spell words.

  • Beginner reading

  • Write stories and learn how to rhyme.

Practical Life, Sensorial

  • This is where we learn about our 5 senses.

  • Practice Fine Motor Skills

  • Learn real life skills such as, sewing, hammering, window washing setting the table, and pouring, to name a few!

  • Learn about taking care of yourself and others

  • Learn shapes

Geography

  • Learn About the World

  • 7 continents

  • United States, 50 States

  • Wyoming

  • Douglas