It's Never Too Early to Learn Something New
"The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind."
- Maria Montessori
Day in the Life…
The Toddler starts their day by saying their goodbyes at the classroom door then carrying their belongings to their hook, if able, and taking off their shoes and coat. After putting their belongings away students start the day with free choice in their classroom from 7:00am-8:30am. Free choice looks like many different things from books, coloring, puzzles, blocks, and more. After this, the students transition into their work cycle from 8:30am-10:45am either indoors or out on their attached playground. The work cycle includes materials that practice different skills they will utilize throughout their educational careers, as well as spark interest in nature and how to care for it. The students observe the propagation process and tend to plants throughout their space, while also often collecting natural materials from around the property to use in their art projects. During this work cycle the classroom will sit for a group circle time. The circle time starts with welcoming all our friends, then having them welcome each other, through song and a handshake or hug. Things like the season, date, weather, and special events are discussed, and depending on students' interest a possible story time and more songs. At 9:00am the first snack of the day is served, with help from the Toddler friends. Pushing their chairs to the table, wiping their hands and face after eating, and putting away water bottles are just some of the ways the teachers have incorporated the students into helping during snack and lunch. Lunch starts at 11:00am and the classroom does have access to a microwave. Students will eat food on plates with cutlery that they later help clean and put away. Either before and/or after lunch students will play outside if the weather is safe, or teachers will bring outside toys indoors to play with. Following this, students begin their transition to nap and are laid down by noon. The Toddlers sleep on cots in their classroom with music playing and get up from nap around 2:45pm. After nap, they sit for their afternoon snack, then prepare to either go outside or play with free choice until pick up.
Not a Daycare, Not a Public School, But a Different Type of Learning.