We discover that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being.

– Maria Montessori

The Toddler program, for children 18 months to 3 years old, takes advantage of the toddler’s natural drive to act independently. Montessori Children’s House enhances each child’s growth and development through a rich and and well prepared environment designed just for toddlers. This classroom is a special place for the young child to begin his/her steps towards independence and self-reliance.

Dedicated, nurturing and trained teachers implement a toddler designed curriculum to foster cognitive development, speech and language development, strengthen fine motor and gross motor skills, introduce grace and courtesy lessons, and promote independence. An important part of a toddler’s developing independence is learning to care for him/herself by washing hands and putting on shoes and jackets.
Pre-Primary Classroom

The Primary program is for children from 3 to 6 years. In this mixed-age environment children spend three years in the same classroom getting to know each other and their teachers well. The continuity of returning to the same room each year makes for a strong classroom community, for children and parents alike.

Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) recognized that during the first six years of life, children experience a series of “sensitive periods”. We take advantage of these “sensitive periods” by helping the children refine their senses and assisting them in perfecting these natural learning tools.  Primary children learn by doing. The concrete materials in the classroom allow the children explore the world through their senses, through touch and motion, and by observing and engaging with others. Students work with specially designed materials, manipulating and investigating until they master the lesson inside. Teachers guide students through the curriculum as children are ready for each new challenge, introducing lessons and then letting children practice what they have learned. As children grow, the classroom materials grow with them in the sense that older children use the materials to explore curriculum in new and deeper ways.

The 3-6 year old goes through an intense period of change, including the transition to cooperative play and more complex social interactions, a language explosion leading to beginning skills in writing and reading, the emergence of number sense and the foundations of math, and great changes in physical development. Our Montessori teachers respond to these changes in social and emotional, cognitive, and physical development with appropriate lessons to support each child’s growth and emerging capabilities.

Sharing is an opportunity for your child to bring in a “theme related” piece of information to share with the class. For example a book, a printed picture, a picture your child colored, a magazine, an object that represents the theme or simply a list of information relating to the theme they would like to share with the children.

Sharing time is a segment during morning circle. Sharing is very important for your children, as it builds self confidence and public speaking skills. We encourage all ages to share; they are never too young or too shy. We will encourage them through the sharing process.

The children are provided with a “Sharing Sheet” that they fill out at home. We ask that you encourage them to bring sharing and practice what they would like to say the night before sharing. The child is more comfortable and successful when standing and talking to a group if the desire to share comes from within the child.

At MCH our sharing days are Monday and Thursday.