Toddler Class
MONTESSORI TODDLER CLASSROOM: (18 months to 3 years of age)
“The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiences.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori
E N R O L L M E N T TODDLER CLASSROOM
Child must be 18 months old - 3 years of age
Child will then be transitioned into the Montessori Preschool classroom on their 3rd birthday, as long as they are independent in the bathroom and space is available in the preschool class.
Half-day programs: Thursdays & Fridays (2 hours per day - morning schedule)
RATE per month (Sept 2010 - May 2011): $105
Montessori Toddler Programs have been becoming more popular for parents wanting to support their pre-preschool aged child using Dr. Maria Montessori methods and traditions.
For additional reading/resources visit: http://www.michaelolaf.com/JCcontents.html
Montessori Toddler classroom will accommodate from 6 - 11 toddlers (depends upon current enrollment) in a warm, comfortable environment built upon the philosophy and methodology of Dr. Maria Montessori.
As the child developmentally grows, the activities in the classroom grow and change to meet his/her needs. Furniture is designed to meet the needs of the child, not the needs of the adults in the room. Furniture and materials are mostly designed from wood to provide a natural and aestically pleasing environment. The materials on the shelf are designed such that the younger child will find success in their work and the oldest child in the group can also be stimulated in their work and excited about teaching the younger child about their own skills.
Montessori activities are designed within the following areas:
- Practical Life- learn how to pour, scoop, bead, transfer, carry a tray, roll a rug for working on, etc.
- Language- learn one letter for each month that is reinforced for 4 weeks (letter sounds)
- Math- learn what a number represents (1 is for "one" bead, 2 is for "two" beads, etc.)
- Movement (indoors and outdoors, yoga, etc.)
- Music (circle time activities)
- Sensorial
- Outdoor Play
Large Motor Development
Encouraged through various activities in the classroom such as sweeping, cleaning, wiping; outdoor time, nature walks, and use of the adjacent dance studio where children can climb, skip, crawl, run, play with balls, and of course dance!
Fine Motor Development
Supported through pouring, grasping, coloring, drawing, cutting, painting, clipping, tearing and many other Montessori activities to assist in the coordination and strengthening of the small muscles in the hand.
Social Development
Encouraged through group activities such as story time, circle time, snack time, outdoor time, as well as food exploring and tasting activities.
With emphasis on the importance of a peaceful environment these are the keystones of the Montessori Toddler Program at Keystone Montessori Program.
