TODDLER 

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The primary focus of a Montessori Toddler Program is to prepare an environment that supports the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of each child. The children are given opportunities to work individually and cooperatively in a group setting. They learn to verbally express themselves as they explore self, family, and the world in which they live. This helps the children move consciously in the world. Toddlers spend the year becoming comfortable in their classroom community, gaining confidence in themselves, developing an awareness of others, and learning to feel secure in the relaxed atmosphere of our school setting.

 

Toddlers are in a developmental stage that Maria Montessori called a period of unconscious absorbent creation. In the Toddler's process of embodying the world, adults influence attitudes, characteristics, personality traits, speech habits, mannerisms, and how children come to think about themselves and the world at large. Adults prepare the Toddler's environment with enriching aesthetics, materials, and furniture in order to foster independence and nurture curiosity. The members of our Toddler staff are Montessori certified as well as loving adults who contribute and facilitating the development of our future generations.

 

The Toddler Program prepares a child for Primary by exposing them to each curriculum area.

It is in the Toddler Program that children begin to cultivate an interest in learning and a desire for exploration. The Toddlers learn concentration, coordination, language skills, responsibility, and respect-all of which prepare them well for a successful transition into the work of Primary Program.

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Language

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The most important language materials for a Toddler are the materials and experiences in the child's environment. Reinforcing the importance of verbal communication, speaking clearly, and supporting the child's expanding vocabulary are a daily process in the Toddler environment. For the Toddler, written language is experienced through the adult's oral reading and story time.

 

 

Pre-reading

• Matching cards

• Vocabulary cards

• Stories read aloud

• Size and shape discrimination exercises

• Picture-word cards

 

Matching

• Tracing objects

• Tracing shapes

 

Word recognition

• Sandpaper letters

• Isolating initial sounds

 

Pre-writing

• Sandbox tracing

 

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Mathematics

 

Maria Montessori believed that a child's mind is mathematical and based on the order and perceptual awareness found in the development of the senses. The acquisition of mathematical principles is seen as developing logically from concrete to abstract and simple to complex. The child that has experienced basic concepts involved with the practical life and sensorial materials progresses naturally to the beginning math activities. We make this enjoyable by providing these every day activities:

 

Counting activities (1-4 and 1-10)

• Counting songs

• Counting fingers, animals, children, objects in the environment, etc.

• Spindles boxes

• Sandpaper numerals

• Numeral sandbox tracing

 

Concept of Time

• Daily routine

• Periods of the day (morning, afternoon, evening)

• Seasons

 

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Visual Arts

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The IMA Visual Arts Program seeks to foster creativity, problem solving, and self-expression as it relates to each child's level of development from Toddler to Elementary School.

 

Art lessons use a variety of auditory, kinesthetic, and visual components. Students are encouraged to experience the art process as each concept is presented utilizing a variety of 2-D and 3-D materials to help them truly absorb and understand the lesson's objectives.

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Lessons include drawing, painting, sculpture, collage making, and print making.

 

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Music

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The Music curriculum combines individual and group work with lessons designed to appeal to a variety of learning styles. This directly relates to our mission of enhancing the Montessori philosophy with other innovative methods.

•  Repetitive songs

•  Echo songs

•  Singing in unison

 

Movement

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The ultimate goal of the IMA Movement Arts Program is to assist all children along the path to lifetime physical fitness, which aligns with our holistic mission.

 

The benefits of this journey are many: health, longevity, positive body image, improved overall self-esteem, and increased energy and concentration in all areas. All students from Toddler to Elementary School participate regularly in Movement Arts classes and activities.

 

Movement Arts at IMA embraces the philosophy of the school as a whole. The program, at each level, is responsive to the needs and interests of the children, and the ultimate goal is the joyful discovery of movement and its benefits, both physical and psychological. IMA Movement Arts seeks to benefit all children in general not just those with particular interest or talent in this area. Volumes have been written about the connection between body image and overall self-esteem, as well as the dangers of introducing children to competitive sports at an early age.

 

Care is taken to keep the emphasis on fitness and fun, as opposed to individual superiority of skills.

• Rolling, jumping, bending, stretching…movement is fun and exploration is exciting!

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