For ages 16 months through 3 years
Once a child begins walking, talking and exploring the world, development accelerates as every moment is a learning experience and every day brings more growth and discovery. During these crucial formative years, the Montessori classroom provides a safe environment for a child to flourish, develop self-identity and also become aware of others. Giving toddlers experiences that empower their curiosity and self-reliance sets a foundation for their academic future success.
Our Toddler Program consists of two classroom settings—one in which self-selected activities take place and another for guided lessons. These classrooms are carefully planned and designed for our youngest students to engage in a wide range of educational and fun activities as well as to interact with one another, enabling learning through exploration, freedom and independence. They are also given lessons in relating to others with kindness, good manners and respect.
For children about two and a half years old, the programming shifts as the child begins to develop a set of interests, and the program becomes more customized to each child’s individual needs and level of development. At this level, referred to as Nursery, an orderly classroom environment helps children to feel a sense of security while they work at their own pace and acquire skills. Academics such as letter sounds and numbers are introduced, and are taught in the nontraditional, proven methods that set Montessori schools apart from standard educational methods.
The underlying goal of the activities and lessons throughout the Toddler program is to holistically foster independence—which in turn promotes self-expression, imagination and intelligence. Children at this age take pride in accomplishing things on their own which builds their self-esteem and confidence and prepares them to move to the next level as they grow physically and emotionally.
“In the first three years of life, the foundations of physical and also of psychic health are laid. In these years, the child not only increases in size but passes through great transformations. This is the age in which language and movement develop. The child must be safeguarded in order that these activities may develop freely.”
Testimonials
This is an amazing group of genuine caring women who go above and beyond on a daily basis. The school operates like a ballet without a beat missed. I am truly grateful to have each one of these women in my son’s life and mine! It is a wonderful thing knowing my son is growing and learning in trusting and loving hands. I love SHMS!
The SHMS family has been instrumental in the personal and educational development of my three children. I can’t speak highly enough about the overall educational and social teachings the school provides to the children. The staff is very caring and I have witnessed firsthand how the children thrive on the personal enrichment that is given to each child.
Simply AMAZING! Our daughter is in the kindergarten class now and has been with the school since she was 2. She can’t wait to go to school each morning and doesn’t want to leave. It never ceases to amaze us how much they teach her, not just academically but socially as well. The teachers have all been there for years and are truly committed and passionate about what they do. We had visited many day cares in the area before, but SHMS really stood out for us. We are so glad that a friend recommended this school to us. Our younger son is also there now and we are confident that he will get the same strong foundation that the school provided and continue to provide his sister. To top it off, it is very reasonably priced. WE LOVE the school and can’t thank the teachers enough for what they have done and continue to do for our kids.
Our 3-year old daughter attends Somerset Hills Montessori School. The school is truly a “home away from home” for her. The teachers are exceptional and the personalized attention that she gets is unmatched. We’ve seen growth in her vocabulary and learning more everyday. We are so grateful to have found this school and truly appreciate everything the teachers are doing for her each and everyday.
The team at SHMS was like a second family for my children. The atmosphere was fun, caring and fostered academic, personal, social growth and development. The Montessori education allowed my children to learn at their own pace and by the time they entered Kindergarten they were much further along than many of their peers. My children looked forward to school every day.
We have two children who attended SHMS in both the Kindergarten and the three-year old classrooms. The teachers are wonderful… not only they are great at inspiring learning in our kids but they are also very care while they teach. The Montessori method is by far the best for our family, my children are far ahead of any academic expectations we had initially at the beginning of our time at this school. This is because they aren’t forced to sit at a desk all day but are encouraged to follow their individual interests while they learn. I appreciate that the school is smaller in size and more like an extended family, even teachers that are not ours are familiar with our kids and their personalities and needs. I also appreciate that children are taught mutual respect between classmates and with adults, manners are reinforced and kindness is the key theme that carries across schoolwork and playtime. I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a caring, intimate and nurturing environment that also does an equally excellent job at providing a place where children enjoy learning.