There are Six Key Elements of Montessori Philosophy for the Infant and Toddler Years:
- Respect for the child: This means making children feel like an important and contributing member of the community, listening to them when they speak and respecting their individual development.
- Observation: Taking the time to observe each child allows us to assess their individual needs and interests – social, emotional, and developmental.
- Preparation of environment: With a prepared environment and carefully chosen materials, the child can explore their environment and use their materials with minimal assistance, which promotes curiosity, concentration, and independence.
- Order: All materials have a specific place in their environment and there is a consistent daily schedule. These two pieces create security, which builds the child’s confidence to seek out independent play and take on new challenges.
- Independence and Choice: Whenever possible, children are given a chance to do things for themselves before the adult steps in. Giving infants and toddlers time and opportunities to exert their independence promotes their self-confidence and self-reliance.
- Intrinsic Motivation: Adults acknowledge accomplishments specifically rather than praise or offer rewards for doing something. Children to learn how to take pride in their own accomplishments, rather than only put in effort for adult praise or external rewards.
Our Teachers’ Montessori Journey
Amber
- Always had an interest childcare since she was young (babysit, church nursery)
- Found Montessori through an ad in the paper that read, “working with toddlers; no experience”
- Worked at New Gate Montessori in Sarasota, FL before moving to VA
- Started at CMS in 2011 in the infant room
- Received AMS toddler credential from Center for Montessori Teacher Education in Charlotte, NC in 2015
- Two favorite elements of Montessori Infant Program –
- Freedom of movement (explore environment, no highchairs, swings, exer-saucer)
- respect for the child (no baby talk, explain everything as they do it, exposure to language)
Joanne
- Her teaching journey began as a substitute speech pathologist at Park View Elementary in Portsmouth (at that time, a Montessori Magnet School)
- She began her Montessori training soon thereafter and received a Children’s House and a Lower Elementary credential from AMS, along with a master’s degree
- She worked in public schools (Portsmouth and Chesapeake) for 17 years, then came to CMS in fall 2012 as Lower El lead and taught for 3 years
- After a short semi-retirement came back as lower el assistant in 2017
- This is Joanne’s 2nd year in infant – she loves the respectful atmosphere that CMS radiates toward all children and teachers
