Parent/Child

Stepping Stone to Discovery

(Birth – 36 months)

It begins here. Your child's mind is sensitive and is developing rapidly. He is eager to makes new discoveries each day! This once-in-a-lifetime process is supported with unconditional love in our Montessori Parent/Child Program.

Connection & Learning

Parent/Child classes are an opportunity for the child (ages newborn through 3) and the parent or caregiver to experience time together in a prepared Montessori classroom environment. Materials are geared to the infant and toddler age. The teacher acts as the facilitator of learning and play and provides information and readings to help the adult experience

and understand the child's growth and development - including social

interactions. The classes are based on the Montessori approach to learning

-focusing on observation of the child, successful learning experiences of

exploration, and basic skills. The method lets the child have meaningful

experiences in a prepared environment guided by a Montessori-trained

teacher.

Growing Together

In our Parent/Child classes the goal of the teacher is not to work directly

with the child in the presence of the parents, but to work with your child

through the parent. When the individual tasks are given, the teacher will be

presenting materials, setting the goals and demonstrating the results that

she wants to achieve through the selected activity. Then you as a parent work independently with your child under the teacher’s

guidance. Over time the objective for the child is to work

independently under his/her parent’s guidance. The parent should be always next to the child and should be working together with their child.

Parents as Teachers

Teachers work and educate parents how to properly work and teach their

child. During the group lessons parent should be performing the same

activity as his/her child or help the child to do the activity demonstrated by

the teacher. Mother/father should act as helper, mentor and be a source of

inspiration to fuel their child with positive emotions and encouragement to

work with materials or accomplish the activity demonstrated by teacher.

An Environment Optimized for Your Child

Classes are held in the main building at Joliet Montessori School. The room

is equipped with learning materials and furniture appropriate to this age

group. There is also an adult lending library with articles and books. The

same parent or caregiver should attend class with each child for the entire

session to receive the greatest benefit for the child and adult.

Getting Started

A parent only orientation meeting is held before the start of each session to familiarize the parents with the weekly classroom routines. We will also review the Montessori philosophy and goals for children in our school.

Ready to Move Up

Sometime between the ages of 2 1/2 to 3 years of age, your child’s language skills and self-expression will develop rapidly; he will express a growing confidence in independence and a keen interest in broader concepts; he will want to know what lies ahead, outside of the Toddler Classroom. At this point, he is ready to move up to the Primary Program, for children from the ages of 3 to 6.

No educational environment could ever come close to providing my daughter the confidence to learn in the same way JMS has! We came to JMS for the traditional approach to Montessori after reviewing many local preschools, but we stay for the sense of community, nurturing environment that has given our daughter so much confidence to learn, and absolutely amazing staff.

I couldn’t imagine a better experience for our daughter as she starts in her educational journey than what we have experienced at JMS. Watching her grow and become a articulate and confident little learner has been so special.

My daughter started her educational journey at 18 months in the parent toddler program at JMS and is now in her second year in the 3-6 year old primary classroom. Watching her grow and develop at each stage has been amazing over the last three years.

- Heather