Infant/Toddler 0-3

The discovery that the child has a mind able to absorb on its own accord produces a revolution in education. We can now understand easily why the first period in human development, in which character is formed, is the most important.

— Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

The first three years of life are the most fundamental in the development of human beings and their potential. The infant's physical development is phenomenal and inspires our care and attention.

These years are when the core of personality, language, movement and trust are developed. Our classroom environments have been prepared to meet the needs of the infant and foster independence, psychomotor development and language acquisition. Here, the teacher is the facilitator to provide this guidance and the classroom offers examples of how parents can follow through with the learning experience at home.

 

Parent-Infant class is the first of the Chiaravalle 0 – 3 programs. Infants and parents/caregivers join a 0 – 3 certified Montessori teacher in an environment designed to offer opportunities for exploration, movement and social interaction. During the class time, the teacher models interactions with the children, offers explanations to parents and answers questions. 

  • 6 to 16 months
  • Meets 2 days per week for 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Parents and children
  • Opportunities for Parents to network with each other
  • Carefully prepared environment with materials and activities designed to nurture and stimulate the natural development of each individual child
Parent-Child class is the second class in the Chiaravalle 0 – 3 Program. Children and Parents/caregivers meet with a 0 – 3 certified Montessori teacher and assistant teacher to expand upon the experience of the Parent-Infant class. The children and parents are gently encouraged to begin the process of separation. The children start to explore the environment and interact more with peers and parents move to the role of observers. As signs of readiness are observed, parents begin to leave the classroom. Parent Education opportunities specific to the 0 to 3 years are offered during the year.

  • 16 to 24 months
  • Meets 2 days per week for 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Classroom is a carefully prepared environment offering opportunities for children to explore developmentally appropriate materials and activities—opportunities for refining movement
  • Parents start in the classroom—emphasis is placed on how to observe the child
  • As readiness occurs, parents separate from the child
  • Regular parent education sessions are offered about pertinent topics of child development

Toddler Classes

The Toddler classes are the third step in the 0 – 3 Program. Chiaravalle offers 3 choices of classes which are designed to meet the varying needs of families. A 0 – 3 certified Montessori teacher heads each class and, depending on the class size, one or two assistant teachers provide support.
There is a phase-in period at the start of the school year for each toddler class. The phase-in period provides a gentle transition as the child adapts to separating from his/her parents and joining the class independently.

Toddler Partial Day classes begin or end with gross motor play in the park or big gym. The classroom is carefully prepared to encourage children to explore materials, interact with peers, and work on movement. During class time, children have the opportunity to choose materials in various areas that will help refine and further develop each stage of development. The children learn to prepare and serve snack.

Toddler Partial Day

  • 2 years by September 1
  • 3 or 5 day choices—2 hours
  • Classroom learning areas:  Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Cultural

Toddler Full Day classroom provides a warm, stimulating, and supportive all day program. A 0 – 3 certified teacher creates a Montessori environment that offers children the opportunity to choose activities and learning materials that further develop and refine each stage of development.

The children join together to learn the lessons of grace and courtesy during breakfast, lunch and snacks each day. There is a midday nap period to allow the children to rest from the morning activities and be prepared for the afternoon.

Toddler Full Day

  • 2 years by September 1
  • 7:30 to 6:00 — 5 days per week
  • Breakfast, lunch, snacks, nap, recess (weather permitting), big gym, gross motor room
  • Prepared Montessori environment—practical life, sensorial, language, math, cultural
  • Well-balanced meals
  • Very warm and supportive staff

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