Programs
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Heart and Hands Montessori prepares each child for a future that none of us can predict with accuracy. How? By providing an environment which fosters these following qualities, to take your child far in a wide range of life situations:
- Depth of character.
- Natural love of life.
- Interest and drive to learn.
- Interacting with others in fun and appropriate ways.
- Flexibility with change.
- Connecting with nature.
- Trusting that teachers support and guide.
- The feeling of flow - your child interacts with activities specifically geared towards his or her, age, ability and interest.
- A love for language- we are bilingual (English and Spanish)
- Joy in everyday moments.
Infant Nido
Maria Montessori called the infants' room a "nido" or nest, and it is designed just for them and their special needs. Infants follow an individual activity plan of movement, exploration, feeding, diaper changes and sleeping. During movement time, a child can do small and large motor activities, listen to music, hear the teacher singing or talking, and get fresh air on the playground or in the park. Infant teachers also incorporate songs in Spanish.
Toddlers
Toddlers, being more mobile and social, do more activities as a group. This includes preparing food, setting table, eating their mid-morning snack, hearing music and all kinds of movement activities. They interact with a wide array of materials, have playground time or a park walk. After lunch they usually nap, snack and have more activity with outdoor periods. Part of the language curriculum includes the Spanish language. Some of the teachers are bilingual and teach the children the days of the week, shapes, months of the year, numbers, and basic Spanish terms. If a family is interested in one of the teachers only speaking Spanish to their child, that is an option that can be requested of the director.
Parent Participation
Prior to the child's first day, parents and child visit briefly for three days in a row to get a feel for the classroom community. This is important to give the parents a chance to get to know the teachers and staff, for the child to connect to the new environment and for the parents know where to place the child's belongings. Parents are invited to pick up coffee in the kitchen after drop off, read any notices that may be posted, see the parent education and workshop schedule and sign up as they may wish. Parents who feed infants may do so mid-day. For educational programs, please see the section on Parent Education.
Food
Parents supply food and milk for infants. Snacks are included mid-morning and mid-afternoon for toddlers.
Food includes: fresh fruit and vegetables or other such as applesauce, a grain such as whole wheat bread - often made in class - or crackers, and a protein such as yogurt, cheese or tofu. These snacks provide a time to share food with others as well as try out seasonal produce, some of it from our own garden.