Infant/Toddler Program

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 Practical Life: Practical Life activities form the cornerstone of the Montessori classroom and prepare the child for all other areas. The emphasis is on process rather than on product. Through the repetition of Practical Life activities, children develop and refine the basic skills that will serve them all their lives. The children care for the outside environment through gardening activities and for the inside environment through dusting, mopping, sweeping and washing dishes. The toddler is also directed to take care of himself by washing hands, hanging up clothing, managing personal items and toileting. The Toddler classroom offers the early Practical Life exercises, such as Pouring, Opening and Closing, Spooning, Bead Stringing, Polishing, and Large Water Activities. These activities are aimed at enhancing the child’s development of fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, balance, sense of order, concentration and independence.

 Science and Geography: Toddlers are introduced to the concept of the globe, the continents, weather, plants, and animals, through joining the primary class circle times for certain days as well as learning through hands-on materials such as big blocks, music, and songs.

Math: To help prepare the mathematical mind, Toddlers are exposed to the world of numbers through counting games and concrete materials. These exercises encourage the development of important pre-math skills such as order, sequence, visual discrimination, sorting, one-to-one correspondence, and directionality. Toddler math activities include stacking and nesting cubes, number blocks and puzzles, and sorting and counting materials.

 Language: Around the age of two, children’s speech development experience an explosion of words, soon followed by sentences. The Language materials in the Toddler classroom encourage the refinement and enrichment of language as the first steps on the road to writing and reading. Early language materials and oral exercises like storytelling and reading aloud support the toddler’s need to be immersed in language. Activities include books, puzzles, naming objects like fruits, vegetables and animals, and beginning sound games.

Spanish/Chinese: Toddler and Primary children are exposed to the sounds and rhythms of the Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin) language through games, songs, lessons, and activities. Lessons initially include counting, colors, and basic vocabulary.

 Music and Arts: Toddlers through Primary students enjoy music classes learning concepts such as beat, meter, and rhythm. Toddlers learn to use their bodies with the rhythm of the music. Toddlers are also introduced to art class where they learn to use various materials to express creativity and to enhance fine motor skills. Language skills are further reinforced through the child’s description of the art and its personal meaning. Social skills particular to gift-giving are introduced and coordinated with traditional holidays.

 Character Building: Toddlers participate in our monthly virtue education activities. They will sit in the ‘Character Ed’ sessions and observe primary students ‘role play’ the concepts.

Physical Ed: Toddler through Primary students participates in regular physical education classes such as Tae Kwon Do, Amazing Athletes, and soccer etc., during the day. They practice moving their bodies and developing their gross motor skills.