Coming soon!
Waddler Program
Children ages 12 months to 2 years
"The child is truly a miraculous being, and this should be felt deeply by the educator." - Maria Montessori​
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Many parents today recognize that experiences in the first years of life influence their child's long-term brain development. Advice abounds, and infant and toddler learning fads come and go.
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The very youngest children have been part of The Montessori learning community from the beginning, when visionary Italian physician Maria Montessori first made her observations about children's development, more than a century ago. Today, neurological research on early learning confirms the accuracy and relevance of Dr. Montessori's teaching methods.
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The child at this stage of life shows a growing capacity for tackling problems, reasoning, socializing and harnessing the imagination.
- American Montessori Society (Montessori: Infant and Toddler Programs, Birth - Age 3)
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Respect for the Learner
In the book The Absorbent Mind, Dr. Montessori described the ability of even the youngest children to soak up the new, revel in sensory experiences, experiment with movement, practice language, and find their place within their learning communities.
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At heart, the Montessori approach to educating the youngest learner is based on respect for the child. Even with the smallest children adult guides seek to assist, to teach. During these early months of life, when the foundations of the personality are laid down, Montessori teachers educate y showing and modeling, not by correcting.
The Classroom
At a glance, a Montessori waddler or toddler classroom may not look all that unlike a traditional preschool- although there is probably less noice, and the environment is likely more muted, with natural lighting and uncluttered spaces that set the stage for faceted and calm activity. The environment is safe, healthy, and stimulating. The focus is on fostering basic trust in the child. Foremost in the environment is the adult, whose caring, respectful response to the child's needs- physical, psycological, emotional, social, and spiritual- conveys a message of unconditional love and acceptance.
Cognitive Development
In the waddler classroom the child learns through direct experience choosing their own activities within a carefully prepare environment. They intuitively discover concepts, learn language, solve simple problems, develop muscle control, and learn self-care skills as they explore specially designed materials. An appreciation for for the larger world is fostered through safe outdoor activities and exploring objects from nature.
Physical and Motor Development
The Montessori approach recognizes that small children learn best through movement and exploration, following intrinsic motivation, and that they experience "sensitive periods" - times when they are particularly attuned to discovering and mastering skills.
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The waddlers growing abilities, as well as their innate drive to develop independence, require an environment that enables the transition from infancy. To foster this, activities are positioned around the room that they may choose from. With free exploration they are allowed to experience sequence, form, shape, movement and sounds - and the offerings evolve as the children grow physically, emotionally, and intellectually.