Pre-Primary
Ages 18 months - 3 years
Pioneer Montessori School’s Toddler Program
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 11:45am or 8:00am - 2:30pm (3-day and 5-day options are available, as well as Extended Day.)
The Pioneer Montessori toddler program allows your child to enjoy a Montessori experience in a small group setting. The children have an opportunity to explore and experiment in an environment that has been carefully prepared to meet the unique needs of this age. All of the furniture is sized to allow for maximum independence and the Montessori materials are stimulating and inviting.
First friendships are formed and social skills developed. Toddlers are in the first “plane” of development and experience what Dr. Montessori described as “sensitive periods.” These are times in the child’s life when s/he shows an almost obsessive interest in a particular activity essential to growth. The acquisition of language is an example of this, and correct and complete language is just one of the skills fostered in our toddler community.
A supportive atmosphere for parents as they watch their toddlers grow into independent three year olds is offered through on-going communication including two formal parent teacher conferences.
Pre-Primary Program
“Help me to do it myself”
Your child has a natural drive to be independent, which we encourage by creating an environment where everything is just the right size for students to do things on their own. Toddler-sized tools that fit small hands allow students to prepare a snack and serve it to friends. A miniature broom and mop empower students to clean up on their own. The important practical life skills of self-care and toilet training are taught using child-sized toilets and sinks. Your child learns a set of concrete life skills and self-confidence – but, more importantly, develops the belief that she can choose to make a genuine impact on her world.
An environment conducive to learning
Parents are often surprised to see the peaceful tone of our toddler classroom, as other early childhood programs can feel chaotic and overwhelming, The calm atmosphere and lack of distraction helps students to develop impulse control and concentration, planting the seeds for learning in this classroom and beyond.
Absorbing language
We surround your child with rich and stimulating conversation to support this once-in-a-lifetime period of rapid language development. Your child, trying to blow bubbles, might be encouraged with “Blow! Can you make the air move just like the wind?” Your child’s mind effortlessly absorbs the new vocabulary, which plants the seeds for reading, writing and self-expression in the future.
A joyful experience
Maria Montessori once said, “One test of the correctness of the educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” Take a peek into our Toddler classroom and you will see children who are happy, engaged and deeply connected to their friends and teachers. As a result, your child develops a deep affinity for school and a true love for learning.
Ready to move up
Sometime between the ages of 2.5 to 3 years of age, students become ready to move up to the Primary level as they develop a new consciousness, keen social awareness, and increased independence. The child from birth – 3 years learns unconsciously, absorbing everything around him or her. The child from 3-6 continues to absorb effortlessly, yet now he has a new understanding about learning. The child now knows when he is learning sounds of the alphabet or how to polish. He has become conscious of himself as a person and a learner. Children grow an interest in broader concepts and a curiosity about what lies ahead, outside of the Toddler Classroom. At this point, he is ready to move up to the Primary program, for children of ages 2.5 or 3 through 6.
