“Education begins at birth, the first few years being the most informative, both physically and mentally. Even the smallest baby must be exposed to; people, sounds, cuddled and talked to if he is to develop into a normal happy child.“
~ Maria Montessori

INFANT PROGRAM

3 Months-24 Months

The optimal infant program needs to be a home away from home.  A place where parents can feel secure that their child will be loved, nurtured and most importantly “listened to.” Montessori caregivers observe first, listen next and then respond.  You will usually find one caregiver on the floor with the children watching, listening and communicating rather than a flutter of movement constantly above them. Our children are treated with respect at all times.  Every moment can be for bonding and teaching including: feeding, diaper changing and playing.  Our caregivers use Maria Montessori's philosophy of helping children to become independent along with Magda Gerber's Infant Education Resources.

Children are respected and communicated to through language and simple signing.  Signing assists children with communication prior and along with language.

Infants have different schedules.  We respect each individual child's schedule.  When a child is hungry they eat, when they are tired they sleep.  In addition to daily written checklists which include diaper changes, feedings, and sleeping times each child has a journal that the primary caregiver maintains.  Journals contain written entries of the child's activities, milestones and special moments.  Parents are encouraged to journal back to the teacher and for the child.

A monthly thematic curriculum is implemented which includes process art, music, water and sensory exploration.  The learning environment responds to the basic needs of infants by holding and nurturing but also by encouraging independence.