Keystone Montessori Program

MONTESSORI TODDLER CLASSROOM:  (20 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

ENROLLMENT:   TODDLER CLASSROOM

Our Montessori Toddler classroom will accommodate from 9 - 11 toddlers with 2 teachers in a warm, comfortable environment built upon the philosophy and methodology of Dr. Maria Montessori.  (Child can be transitioned into the Montessori Preschool classroom after their 3rd birthday, as long as they are independent in the bathroom AND space is available in the preschool class AND the toddler teachers feel that the child is ready).

Half-day:   9:00 - 11:00   (Monday - Tuesday session.   Wednesday - Thursday session)     

RATE per month (Sept 2011 - May 2012):    $115

MOMMY & ME PLAYGROUP (Montessori based) 
*We are seeking parents and children:   12 months - age 3 that are interested in a Montessori Mommy & Me Playgroup to be conducted 2 Friday's a month during the Fall of 2011 (Session I) at the Keystone Montessori toddler classroom.  Session will meet for 1.5 hours.
Certified Montessori teacher will assist families in learning more about Montessori, having a "Montessori" home, educating your child with "Montessori" materials during the playgroup, becoming more "Montessori" based with your own child and meeting other families.  CONTACT the school via e-mail if you are interested in possibly joining this group. 
*Sufficient enrollment is needed to conduct this Mommy & Me Group.  Seeking a group of  5 - 8 families total.  Session I Rate:  TBD

 For additional reading/resources visit:   http://www.michaelolaf.com/JCcontents.html

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.