The infant program serves children from six weeks to 18 months. The program is designed to duplicate the loving care and gentle stimulation that an infant needs to grow and develop to his or her full potential. Flexible scheduling allows each child to eat, sleep, or play according to his or her own natural timetable.
The environment is beautifully enhanced with a home-like feel in soft, muted colors with lots of natural sunlight. The room is equipped to provide freedom of movement and gentle stimulation. All equipment and Montessori materials are of various textures to enhance the learning experience. The children work on their various stages of development throughout the day within the carefully prepared environment. When the weather is appropriate, they are taken outside for fresh air and to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
The Montessori caregiver interacts with individual children to insure that a strong emotional bond exists and to stimulate the development of speech for each child. Each child’s “primary care giver” monitors the child’s schedules, accomplishments, tendencies and/or concerns which are communicated to the parents on a daily basis. We firmly believe in the need for open and thorough communication between the caregiver and the home.
A toddler class begins the educational process during the ages of 18 months to 3 years. Many of the activities in the toddler program highlight the self-help skills that lead to independence. There is a large Practical Life area in the toddler room, where children practice motor control while they acquire the sense of order and concentration to perform everyday tasks that help them achieve that largest of goals for toddlers: Independence! Children are expected to hang up their own coats, put away their shoes and to problem-solve rather than say “I can’t.”
Simple sensorial activities in the classroom respond to the toddlers’ urge to use all their senses to explore everything around them. The toddler program also appropriately accommodates the very young child’s sensitive period for language, math and social sciences by offering creative and intriguing concepts to expand their growing need to learn and explore. There is freedom of choice within a structured environment. This freedom is crucial to the toddler program. However, it is always tempered by two important limits that will be beneficial for a lifetime – respect for others and respect for the environment. Since this is an age of very strong imitation, the teachers constantly model appropriate social skills, good manners and consideration for others. To help smooth their initial social interactions, the toddlers also learn to use words for the feelings they experience in themselves and others.
The toddler day includes independent and small group activities that develop gross and fine motor skills, cognitive, social, and language skills. Art, music and free play round out their busy day. And, since children in this age group love to be "on the go," ample opportunity is provided to explore the outdoor environment, engage in water activities, or just run outside for a part of every day.
Primary classrooms are beautiful, nurturing learning environments designed to respond to the most universal, natural drives and tendencies of 2 ½ -6 year old children. Learning in a Montessori classroom emphasizes self-education and intrinsic motivation: the teacher presents each child with material and activities that directly appeal and respond to his or her level of development and interests; the child, in turn, freely chooses his or her work each day, selecting from the array of engaging materials previously presented by the teacher. The teacher carefully observes the child’s progress, presenting new materials as soon as the child is ready.
Montessori materials in the primary classroom are a preparation for the elementary classroom. The hands-on learning approach is organized into five major curriculum areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language and Cultural Studies (science, geography, history, art, music and Spanish). Work in the outdoor nature explore classroom also enhances the children’s learning experience.
The primary child’s day consists of an uninterrupted 3 hour ‘work cycle’ during the morning. During this time the children work independently with classroom materials, receiving one-on-one, small or large group lessons from the teacher. Within this work cycle, time will be taken to enjoy a snack that will include individual or small group food preparation. Large group activities include singing, dancing and story time. Outside activities will also be woven into the child’s day.
Children who stay for the extended or all day program allows the teacher to work with the children with interest beyond the half day session. An afternoon work cycle follows lunch. Children continue to receive individualized lessons, work with classroom materials or participate in a variety of activities.
The Montessori elementary program, approved by the Nebraska Department of Education, offers children in grades 1st through 6th educational advantages not found in traditional programs. Integrated studies provide students with unique and age-appropriate materials that help them to become accountable for their use of time, for accuracy in their work and to evaluate their strengths and areas of growth. Our students have individualized work plans to allow them to use time effectively and to make appropriate choices.
The elementary program provides a full expression of the Montessori principles in a truly integrated curriculum. By building on the basic skills acquired in the primary program, the elementary child now moves from the concrete to abstract reasoning. The curriculum follows the essential elements as mandated by the state in language arts, history, mathematics, the sciences, practical living and the arts. Each subject area begins with a broad overview after which specific details are researched and added, creating greater depth and understanding. It enables students to connect and relate content information more effectively within and across disciplines. Materials and presentations are designed to stimulate the imagination while developing the mastery of essential learning skills. The hallmark of the elementary program focuses on critical thinking, problem solving, self-confidence and a strong foundation in mathematics, reading and the sciences in a non-stressful environment. Students demonstrate great joy in their learning.
Montessori Educational Centers, Inc. - 12344 Pacific St. - Omaha, NE 68154 - 402.393.1311
