Using tools and lessons from the Montessori Method, toddlers in our program will have a great head start in their education as they learn to move, think, and discover new information independently. Under the guidance of Lead and Assistant Guides, children gain self-confidence as they work independently at their own pace with carefully designed materials that encourage logical thought, creativity, and responsibility. Purposeful tasks, such as caring for plants or practicing buttoning and unbuttoning, allow children to master valuable skills while developing concentration. The environment abounds with opportunities to practice hand-eye coordination, appreciate music, and develop balance through artistic, musical, and kinesthetic activities. Each day, children experience the self-confidence of completing tasks independently as well as the joy of contributing to the well-being of the classroom community. Children are gently introduced to the rules of the community and find pleasure in being patient, respectful, and polite.
The practical life materials and exercises are designed to contribute to the development of both small and large motor skills and assist the child in becoming self-efficient and independent.
This consists of lessons and materials that educate and refine the child’s senses. The sensorial materials are designed to simplify learning and awareness of the environment by isolating difficulty; isolating the senses; encouraging mastery through repetition; possessing self-correction within the material; and presenting an attractive appearance to the child. By working with the sensorial materials, children develop the organization and patterning skills inherent in math and language concepts that build upon the sensory awareness stimulated by the sensorial materials.
A child’s mind is mathematical and based on the order and perceptual awareness found in the development of the senses. The acquisition of mathematical principals is seen as developing logically from concrete to abstract and simple to complex. The child who has experienced basic concepts involved with the practical life and sensorial materials will progress naturally to the beginning math activities.
The most important language materials for a toddler are the materials and experiences in the child’s environment. Reinforcing the importance of verbal communication, speaking clearly and supporting the child’s expanding vocabulary are a daily process in the toddler environment. For a toddler written language is experienced through the adult’s oral reading and story time. These activities revolve around four areas: Pre-reading, Matching, Word Recognition, Pre-writing.
The visual arts program seeks to foster creativity, problem solving, and self-expression as it relates to each child’s level of development. The Toddler curriculum focuses on the exploration of different materials.
The music curriculum directly relates to our mission of enhancing the Montessori philosophy with other innovation methods. In addition to listening to music, toddlers sing in unison, listen and perform songs with repetitive sections in them and use finger-play to boost motor skills. Most of all, music curriculum is a fun element for our toddlers while still developing the child with arm-waggling, leg-shaking, and circle-turning.