HOURS/PROGRAMS
First Montessori offers three options for the Toddler child:
Toddler 5 days a week
(8:15 am – 11:30 am, Monday-Friday)
approximately 1½ – 2 ½ years of age
Toddler 3 days a week
(8:15 am – 11:30 am, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
approximately 1½ – 2 ½ years of age
Toddler 2 days a week
(8:15 am – 11:30 am, Monday and Tuesday)
approximately 1½ – 2 ½ years of age
$75.00 application fee
$500.00 one time per child registration fee
PHILOSOPHY
The Toddler program provides an opportunity for growth to occur in a safe environment designed for toddlers particular needs. The environment offers toddlers a special atmosphere of understanding, respect and support. Toddlers are given opportunities to work toward developing language, art, music and practical life skills.
In the Toddler class, the exercises of practical life are primarily concerned with fostering coordination and control of movement, concentration, and independence. As children repeat the activities, their concentration and coordination increase, and they become more independent in their ability and desire to care for themselves and their environment. Amazingly, toddlers wipe up spills, sponge off tables, set the table for snack, and wash dishes. Maximum class size is 15 children with one teacher and one assistant.
THE ENVIRONMENT
All furniture in the Toddler class is specifically designed for promoting independence of the young child. The children enjoy working and eating at tables that fit their size. The child’s sense of order is developed with the assistance of an orderly environment where everything has a place and sharing is a necessity. The children are encouraged to put one activity away before beginning another. The environment is created so that the young child is successful in her pursuits.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Often the Toddler community is the first experience children have with others of their own age and abilities. Learning how to interact in respectful ways is the base in forming the Toddler community. It is the basis of the child’s future dealings with others in the larger world. Much time and loving, patient guidance is spent on positive interaction in the Toddler community. Grace and courtesy are modeled by the adults in the class. “Please” and “thank you” or, “no thank you” are practiced often. The children learn to respect each other, the adults and the activities in the environment. Grace and courtesy lessons involving the adults acting out particular situations and showing proper responses are given often in a neutral setting. Helping each other, offering a snack, or pouring a drink for a friend encourage community and consideration of others. The child becomes able to find solutions to her problems independently and within the group. Redirection is used to provide positive behavior in the environment.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
Language development is a high priority in the Toddler class. It is during the toddler years that children speak their first words, phrases, and sentences. Some children may begin the program with no spoken language and others may already know many words. The Toddler teacher is much more verbal with the children and assistant than the Primary teacher. She sings, asks questions, reads and converses using natural language - no “baby talk”. Through the work of the child’s naturally absorbent mind, he/she is learning new vocabulary, correct pronunciation, grammar, and syntax. Special language materials include: language objects, vocabulary enrichment cards with pictures of everyday objects, finger-plays and books.
RECOMMENDED READING
* Montessori From the Start by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen
* Diaper Free Before 3 by Jill Lekovic, M.D.
* The Absorbent Mind by Dr. Maria Montessori
* Website: www.michaelolaf.com
* Montessori:The Science Behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard
* Understanding the Human Being by Silvana Montanaro