American Montessori

The infant program includes sensory stimulation, language development, small and large muscle movement activities and cognitive development. Reading to and playing games with the children makes up most of their waking hours. Staff members are specifically trained to work with children 6 weeks to 16 months, thus knowing the importance of a loving, caring, and nurturing environment. Parents play an important role in the development of each child's program. Communication of progress with the parents about the whole child physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually is of the utmost importance. We accept only 6 infants at any given time. Toddlers are given the guidance needed to develop self help, social and emotional skills and creative expression as well as sensory stimulation, language development, small and large muscle skills and their ever-widening cognitive skills. The toddler group is a diverse one. Staff members recognize and encourage differences, while providing opportunities for the toddler to enhance individual developmental progress. Goals are constantly reassessed in terms of the current needs of each child as an individual and as part of the group. The staff work with parents on setting goals for each child based on each particular situation. M.C.H. preschool offers a variety of learning experiences for children. A child is free to explore his/her environment and develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually through activities, free play, and experience in specially designed Montessori apparatus. The program allows a child to experience success in all he/she attempts. Our preschool is for children ages 33 months through 6 six years. We have both a part-time and full-time program available.

Our unique approach, perfected over fifty years, differs from simple daycare in several important ways. Ours is a child-centered philosophy and respect for the individual is a cornerstone of our approach. We provide individualized curriculum taking into account the fact that every child develops at his or her own pace and children learn through direct experience and active involvement. Self-direction is encouraged. Each child's progress is individually monitored and new task are introduced at the right moment of "readiness" of each child. Frustration is kept to a minimum and learning flourishes in a fun filled environment. Children form a habit of being successful one step at time, building a firm foundation for continued enthusiasm and lifelong quest for knowledge.