Montessori Radmoor

Hello To all the parents who have a child in the toddler community!

For some of you this might be your first experience in a Montessori setting, and for others you may have been at our school but might not know much about the toddler class.  I know I have a few parents who have been with us for a while too. But, I really wanted to share my first experience with Montessori and some of what I learned through observation, other teachers, and training. My main focus will be on preparing a toddler classroom.

The first thing I noticed when I visited the toddler classroom was how visually pleasing the room was, and how all the materials were so neatly placed on the shelves. I loved the wicker baskets and the wooden trays.

In a traditional classroom there may be bright colors, many posters on the wall, electronic toys, and many toys made out of plastic. My first year teaching I learned that each work or material on the shelf had a purpose. I also learned that each child would receive lessons on these materials before they moved up to primary.  The classroom should look like as natural as possible so children don’t get distracted from their work. Toddlers have an attention for detail so if the rug they are sitting has bright colors or butterflies on it they might get distracted, and not work with the materials they took off the shelf in the first place.  Having warm tones from the paint on the walls, to the carpet on the floor gives the toddlers a more inviting, and homelike environment.

Space for toddlers is important too. Leaving space on the floor for children to move helps with their development.  Toddlers spend a lot of time on the floor. They use this space to walk, crawl, roll, rest, and sit.  The other parts of the classroom should be size appropriate. All the furniture, sinks and toilets are for the toddlers to use.  Having highchairs and adult size toilets are easier for adults but not for toddlers.  We create a space uniquely for them. It is their space to use.

I discovered that we don’t have a pretend play kitchen area or a dress up center because we practice these real life activities every day. This is called a reality based setting. I learned that instead of pretending to play with plastic fruit, toddlers will actually learn how to cut fruit with special cutters. They will set their own place at the table, serve themselves, eat, and then, clean up after themselves.  Instead of a dress up area the children practice dressing themselves after a water spill or when they are toilet training.  We also use reality based books in the toddler room because young children are learning new concepts. The adults should be clear and precise in order for them to learn the proper names for objects. We try to give them the most accurate information to learn. For example: When we talk a about a mouse and what one looks like, showing the child a picture of Mickey Mouse would be confusing. Using a picture or drawing of a real mouse gives them the best idea of what a mouse looks like.

Unlike a traditional toddler program that may have themes each week, the teachers in a Montessori school will place materials on the shelf that will encourage language, small motor skills, practical life, cognitive, and sensory skills giving them choices of what they want to learn.  I learned that Dr. Maria Montessori who developed this philosophy believed in a reality based program and used practical life skills to learn. Toddlers want to learn, and explore, especially through using their senses.  Toddlers like to do what adults are doing. That’s why it is so important to be a good role model in the classroom.  If we use the appropriate tools, toddlers will too.  If we are using grace and courtesy with every person we talk to, toddlers will follow our example.  Dr. Maria Montessori developed a great philosophy for young children and treated them with respect.  She created an extraordinary environment for young children to learn. It is the teacher or Directress’ job to prepare and maintain that environment.

These were some of my first experiences with Montessori. I wanted to share them in hopes that it will give you some insight on how we prepare the classroom, and how we help guide your child.   I’ve had so many great experiences at Montessori Radmoor. I hope that your first experiences at Radmoor are great too.  Your children mean a great deal to all of us.  Chandrani, Jessica, and I are here to make sure your child’s learning is as Dr. Maria Montessori intended.

Sincerely,

Kristy

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