Toddlers Learn Independence With Real Work
Montessori teacher Patty Webb saw it with her own eyes when a friend begged her to visit a classroom at Community Montessori School.
At the time, Webb’s daughter, now 18, was 4 and attending another preschool. Reluctantly, Webb took her friend’s advice: she went, she saw and Montessori conquered.
“It was magical to see children so joyful in all the work they were doing,” Webb said. “On display was a child’s intrinsic joy of learning.”
Webb was so impressed, she not only enrolled her daughter at CMS, Webb eventually switched careers and became a Montessori educator.
She teaches the Toddler Program for children 18 months to 3 years.
She and two other adult educators lead 12 students Monday through Friday in Half Day (8:15 am -11:45 am) or Full Day (8:15 am -3:15 pm) sessions.
Afterschool care is available from 3:30-6 p.m. daily.
A child should be a stable walker but need not be toilet trained to enter the program.
Each morning begins with a two-hour work cycle followed by music, community snack and outdoor time.
Full Day children bring their own lunch and have rest time from 12:30-2:30 followed by afternoon snack and additional lessons.
Children choose in the morning from multiple work areas: manipulatives, creative (art & music), reading, language and practical life.
That last one is the most astonishing because very young children do actual real work from arranging and setting tables for snack to arranging flowers around the room to actually baking bread.
On a recent visit, snack consisted of roasted sweet potatoes and muffins, which students helped prepare, topped with hummus supplied by the school.
“Setting the table and baking the bread are very popular because children are doing something they are proud of and benefits the rest of the class,” Webb said.
Hana Toupin has two daughters who attend CMS. Wren is 5 and Lilou is 2-and-a-half.
Toupin was stunned when Wren returned from her first day in the Toddler Program.
“She was so much more capable and independent than we thought,” Toupin said. “She learned about sharing, caring for others and compassion, and waiting your turn.
“That’s really big for an 18-month-old.”
Toupin thanked the Montessori method and Webb, whom she called the “most sweet-hearted, kind person I’ve ever met in my life.
“I know my children are in good hands because of her kind spirit.”
CMS is now adding a second Toddler Program, accepting applications now for a fall start.
That classroom will mirror the current one and aspire to the same CMS values of peace, courtesy and grace.