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The Westwood School Beginner program is a nurturing place for children to begin what Dr. Montessori referred to as their “education for life.”  We introduce the two-year-old child to his or her first social experience beyond the family. This environment helps the child move toward independence in a safe, warm, and stable environment where he or she acquires the skills to “do it myself.” Here, the toddler launches into social relationships with peers and starts to learn the importance of cooperation and assertiveness. Our Beginner program centers on sensory experiences, language coordination, and muscle development. We provide large “practical life” and sensorial areas emphasizing gross and fine motor coordination. A rich atmosphere of oral language is featured using storytelling, reading aloud, and songs. As children become ready, phonics is introduced and basic math concepts are explored. Also, in this setting, Westwood works in cooperation with parents to toilet train toddlers. Children who stay for the Extended Day program take a nap at school.  On sight PlayWisely classes complement the Westwood Montessori environment. This program developed the Directionality Method that combines the most recent understandings from the fields of science and education about the amazing things children can do. The result is a unique “play system” that sets the incremental foundations necessary to enhance a child’s natural ability to learn and move through each stage of development. Parents participate in the developmental milestones of learning and movement, thus, enabling them to know their child better. Nurturing essential foundation skills boosts the efficiency of all future skills, making learning fun and the best it can be. Upon completion of the PlayWisely program, children have the brain/body confidence needed to feel safe and secure in a learning environment. Recent comments from PlayWisely parents:  “PlayWisely has been a terrific adventure for my son and me. He enjoys all of the activities and loves the positive and creative interaction with his coaches. For me, playing has become much more interesting and important. It is wonderful to learn how a certain activity works with the brain and the body’s development.” “I spend the entire 30 minutes of class in awe of what my baby can do and how I can help him develop.” |
