Infant / Toddler Classroom

Ages: 9 months - 17 months*

Whoever touches the life of a child, touches the most sensitive part of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future - Maria Montessori

Overview

Maria Montessori’s core philosophy was built upon the belief that from birth to age 3 your brain develops more rapidly than at any other time in your life. Infants and toddlers are constantly developing and changing, learning and growing. The Montessori infant program is a warm, nurturing, loving environment where the teachers encourage the children’s intrinsic desire to explore and foster a sense of independence as they grow more capable. The infant and toddler environment also lays the foundation for what they will learn in Primary, Elementary, and beyond.

  • We encourage fine and gross motor development through play based learning, hands on manipulative materials, and a nature inspired outdoor play area. 

  • Grace and courtesy is a bedrock of the Montessori philosophy and an important part of our curriculum. We work on kindness, care for others, and care for the environment through modeling appropriate behaviors and positive redirection. 

  • Care of self is one of the young child’s biggest works. Plenty of time is built into our schedule to accommodate independence and self care. 

  • Music and movement are incorporated daily into our groups and classroom routine. 

  • Gross motor skills are developed in the classroom and on the playground with special attention paid to walking, climbing, running, jumping, balancing, and climbing steps. 

  • This age is a sensitive period for many fine motor skills and we work especially on developing the pincer grasp, working on transferring items from one hand to another, and using tools and utensils. 

  • Transitions are a constant learning opportunity for the young child. Our daily schedule makes special room for transitions to happen peacefully and at the pace of the child. 

  • We know that literacy is developed in the young child through vocabulary and reading. Teachers use complex vocabulary when speaking to students and model proper grammar and syntax. Reading in small groups, one on one with a teacher, and one on one with a kindergartener is a beautiful way for children to learn to value and respect books.

*Age Range: This class begins the year as a mix of children from 9 months - 17 months and will end with students who are 19 months - 2 years. We do not move children between programs mid-year.

Daily Schedule: 

Drop off line 8-8:30, work cycle begins indoors, children have snack throughout the morning; First nap, 9:30-10:30; Bottle/Play/Diaper 10:30-11; Outside Play 11- 11:45; Lunch 11:45- 12:15; Play/Diaper 12:15- 1-1:15; Second nap, 1:15-2:30; Bottles/Diaper 2:30-3; Dismissal 3-3:30