Toddler Program (Ages 18 Months-3 Years):
The Toddler Program develops young children through 
a scientifically prepared environment. Everything in
the room is child-sized to encourage independence
and exploration. Using all five senses, toddlers develop
language, art, music, and practical life skills. Through
song and dance, they are free to jump, climb, balance,
crawl and skip. Building the child’s self-esteem is the
ultimate goal.
“Even we, her own parents, didn’t really believe that our 15-month–old
daughter would be pouring her own drinks, setting her own place at
the table and washing her own dishes! We were wrong. Montessori has
changed the way that we respect and treat children. Each child has a
potential to grow and to learn beyond the limits that we set for them,
if we only allow them the space and the independence to do so.”
- Erin Weliver, parent of 2-year-old
Preschoolers possess what Dr. Montessori called the
“absorbent mind” - the ability to absorb all aspects of 
their culture and environment without effort. Through
practical activities such as food preparation, children
develop concentration and muscular coordination.
By touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, listening and
exploring their environment, they build cognitive skills
and learn to order and classify their observations.
They gain a solid understanding of basic mathematical
principles by manipulating concrete materials,
preparing them for later abstract reasoning and
problem solving. Conversations, stories and poetry
foster language development in the form of both
written expression and reading skills. Children learn
about people and cultures in other countries with
an attitude of respect and admiration. Lessons and
experiences with nature inspire a reverence for all life.
“My husband and I asked Olivia how her day at school was. She
replied that they learned about the planets and then named every
one! Olivia even said Pluto is now a moon – not a planet! We were
speechless. She is learning more than we imagined.”
- Doug & Jennifer Bognar, parents of 4-year-old
The Montessori classroom is a "living room" for children. It is filled with a rich variety of specially designed materials for the children to use in every area: reading, writing, mathematics, science, geography, practical life, and sensorial development. The abundance of materials makes it possible for the children to exercise more self-direction and independent work than is usually possible in a traditional classroom. They are given many more choices than a traditional environment could provide. Children choose their activities from open shelves with self-correcting materials and work in distinct work areas - on tables or on rugs on the floor. Over a period of time, the children develop into a "normalized community" working with high concentration and few interruptions. We make a high value on the child's growing ability to make constructive choices, exercise self-control, and work independently of the adult. Our Montessori Kindergarten children also have the important advantage of remaining with children of mixed ages. Mixing ages provides our kindergarten children with abundant opportunities to develop leadership skills and responsibility and gives the children greater social diversity. This is the 'leadership year'. They have friends of all ages. The mixed ages and widely varied achievement levels of the children greatly minimize comparisons and competition, which are so damaging to young children. It also does wonders for a kindergarten child's self-esteem to be admired and looked up to by the younger children.
The core of the MGA Montessori Kindergarten curriculum is language, mathematics, science, geography, practical life, and sensorial. In addition to the core Kindergarten curriculum, the child is also presented with history, music, art, and movement education.
At six, there is a great transformation in the child, like a new birth. The child wants to explore society and the world, to learn what is right and wrong, and to explore meaningful roles in society. The child of this age wants to know how everything came to be, the history of the universe, the world, humans and why they behave the way they do. He asks the BIG questions and wants answers. A fully trained Montessori elementary teacher has spent many months learning to give individual lessons in all academic areas, and to guide the child in direction and methods of their own research. Though planning groups form occasionally, with the teacher or among the children, the main work is still done by the individual. Just as in the 3-6 class, it is the protected period of concentration and focus, interrupted by scheduled required groups, that is the hallmark of Montessori education. This is what heals and fulfills the child, and reveals the true human who naturally exhibits the desire to help others and to make a difference in the world.