Sunflower Montessori and Day Care Programs
Infant and Transition Room Program Plan
Ages 6 weeks to 19 months
Sunflower Montessori and Day Care provides infants an environment that encourages movement without containment. Infants are under constant supervision from the time they arrive until the time they leave.
Physical development is emphasized here, since the children are young. Infants are placed on the floor to learn to roll over, reach for toys, crawl, etc. Older infants play for short times in walkers, chase bubbles and they play with building blocks.
For intellectual development, we have stimulating pictures around the room. They are shown books, learn to name body parts, count, ABCs, colors, etc. Children learn social skills by playing together, participating in group time and learning to say please and thank you. Tending to their needs, cries, responding to their smiles, talking to them and as much physical contact as time allows will help infants’ emotional development.
There is a lot of activity play, including dancing, music and chasing bubbles and playing in walkers. Quiet play involves reading books, building with blocks and playing on the floor with toys. Teachers try to get children involved in activities, such as listening to music, and children initiate playing by pointing to toys. All toys are available for parental review.
Progress reports are given upon request. This program is developed and evaluated annually by the Director and Lead Teacher.
Toddler Room Program Plan
Age 20 months to 33 months
Our Preschoolers’ lessons in Language, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Art along with Practical skills are developed using Montessori Equipment and Methods.
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Lessons in Language includes Phonics which helps them to develop the ability to listen, identify, and manipulate letters and sounds to help start reading and writing early. Their lessons in Mathematics which includes Algebra, Geometry and Analysis will help them master the concept of quantity, numbers and symbols which will help with problem solving. Lessons in Science is developed using the subjects; Natural Science (includes physical sciences, physics, chemistry, earth science) and Life Sciences (includes biology, zoology, human biology, botany). Lessons in Geography includes; Physical Geography where they will learn about the weather, land/water formations, environment and Human Geography (which includes culture, history and regions). Arts includes; Visual Art, Creative Arts, Fine Art and Performing Art.
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As children get older, they start seeing things that adults find ordinary as very interesting and special. This is recognized as the beginning of control and coordination of mind and body. Children use concrete materials to learn math, movable alphabets to explore language and cubes and cylinders and other objects to categorize and find spatial relationships.
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Classroom materials and lessons include work in language, mathematics, history, the sciences, the arts, and practical skills, such as pouring and spooning, materials for the development of the senses, math materials, language materials, music, library corner, etc.
While empowering children to care for themselves, for others, and for the environment, practical life exercises are important in assisting children in developing habits of concentration and completing activities. The activities include many tasks children see as part of the daily life at home, such as washing and ironing, doing the dishes, arranging flowers, etc. Show and tell presentations help children to understand appropriate social behaviors in a fun way. For example, how to introduce yourself.
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Sensorial materials are tools for development, children build cognitive efficacy, and learn to order and classify impressions. They do this by touching, seeing, listening and exploring properties of their environment through specially- designed materials. This program is developed and evaluated annually by the director and lead teacher.
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This is the time when children use their bodies, senses, and emerging problem-solving skills to learn about and make sense of their world in the ways that are most meaningful and effective for them.
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Sunflower Montessori and Day Care allows toddlers to have independence, and opportunities for exploration, and learn to make choices within a safe environment. The children are under supervision at all times from the time of their arrival at school. We operate under the ratio of one adult to seven children.
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The children are introduced to the alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes by singing songs and through the use of flashcards, wall charts, picture books, and puzzles. These activities encourage language development.
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The center provides both indoor and outdoor activities. Outdoor activities include playing with balls, jumping, running, and playing games like “Chase” and “Ring around the Rosie” to promote the development of large muscle groups. Indoor activities consist of coloring, painting, play-lot, puzzles, and fingerplays. These activities promote fine motor skills, sensory stimulation, and creative arts and crafts.
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The child’s developmental progress is recorded and conveyed to the parent/s. Conferences are scheduled with parents annually. During these conferences, the child’s overall well-being and intellectual, physical, and emotional development are discussed.
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Preschool and Pre-K Program Plan
34 months and up
