Parent/Infant Program

Newborn to 16 months

"Education starts at birth." - Maria Montessori

The Parent-Infant Class provides learning experiences for both parents and infants, from birth - 16 months. The children learn from an environment which is rich in opportunities to explore. At the same time, parents learn from their exposure to other parents, to others' children, and to the helpful guidance of the teacher.

The Parent-Infant classroom is cheerful and inviting. Low shelves and tables make the toys and materials easily accessible. Small rugs can be unrolled on the floor to provide a place to construct with blocks or cylinders.

Children and parents scatter around the room, engrossed in their choices. By gesture or movement, each child indicates to his parents what attracts him. Each week some new materials are available which someone is sure to notice. There is a hum of conversation as children learn the names of colors, shapes, and objects in the room. The teacher moves around the room showing a child a special detail or describing to one or several parents the significance of what a child is doing.

Sometime during the class, infants and parents may share a nutritious snack. This is followed by some music or fingerplays, occasional time in the gym for large muscle activity, and more opportunities for the class to gather as a group. The Parent-Infant teacher is trained to work with very young children and their parents.