Morning Toddler Class Notes
Afternoon Toddler Class Notes
Curriculum Description
Daily Schedule
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THE MONTESSORI CURRICULUM

                     Dr. Maria Montessori Believed that no human being is educated by another person, but must do it by him/herself. A truly educated individual continues learning long after the time spent in a classroom because that person is motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love for knowledge. The goal for early childhood education should therefore be not to fill the child with facts, but rather to cultivate the child’s own natural desire to learn.



Toddler: 18 Months to 3 Years

      Separation

                     Toddlers are realizing that they are a separate person from their parents. At times they are confident on their own and other times they long to be held. As the Toddler begins to feel comfortable in the classroom, they are able to trust new adults and new peers. With time, the Toddler will develop the confidence to trust him/herself and the world around him/her. Trust quickly grows into independence.

      Exploration

                     Developmentally, Toddlers are constantly in a state of exploration. Not quite capable of precise movement, the Toddler manipulates the materials in the prepared environment ask him/herself many internal questions: What is this? What can I do with it? And, finally… What is this suppose to do? The activities in the classroom call out for the child to explore them. Each work is designed to allow the child to discover and develop a skill they will need later.

      Language

                     In the Toddler classroom we talk about everything…texture, names of objects, colors, nature, animals, food, feelings, etc. In their sensitive period for language, the Toddler is constantly looking for words to label, categorize and make sense of their world.

      Grace and Courtesy

                     The Montessori Toddler students quickly form a kind and caring community of young learners. Preparing work for the next person and inviting a friend to join you in snack are social lessons enjoyed by young children.

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Daily Schedules for our Montessori Toddler Program

Morning Toddler Class: 9:00 to 11:30
         9:00- 9:10: Children arrive
         9:10-10:45: Lessons are presented to individuals or small groups.
                           Children are free to choose activities from shelves.
         10:45-11:15: Groups activities (variety of movement, music/song,
                            story time, finger plays, flannel board, memory games)
         11:15-11:25: Children prepare to go home.
         11:25-11:35: Dismissal

Afternoon Toddler Class: 12:30 to 2:30
         12:30-12:35 Children arrive
         12:40-1:50: Lessons are presented to individuals or small groups.
                           Children are free to choose activities from shelves.
         1:50-2:15: Groups activities (variety of movement, music/song,
                            story time, finger plays, flannel board, memory games)
         2:15-2:25: Children prepare to go home.
         2:25-2:35: Dismissal

         The Montessori Philosophy encourages the adults in the environment to follow the child. By the very nature of traditional Montessori practices; we do not necessarily adhere to a strict time schedule. Of course, arrival and dismissal times are dictated; however, though our routine will not change, the amount of time we spend on specific activities may vary from day to day.