The Program
Copper Beech is an American Montessori Society (AMS) affiliated school. We employ an AMS or AMI certified lead teacher for each age group, assisted by Massachusetts certified early childhood teachers in each room.
During their time in our program, the youngest children (Toddler One) awaken to the joy of connecting with people outside the family. They want to learn to take care of themselves little by little, but they stillneed the nurturing of a trusted adult. They are aware of their needs, and they are learning a vocabulary to express them. They are beginning to develop concentration and focus, as well as balance and coordination. The classroom environment invites exploration of child-sized materials that are based on activities of the home, such as food preparation, table setting, washing, polishing, and pouring. Toddlers are encouraged to do as much as they can for themselves. Teachers work with toddlers on expressing needs and feelings verbally. Group activities like circle and snack also help develop social skills. Most importantly, the toddler teachers recognize the significance of each child's early experience in learning to trust and work with adults outside the home.
Older toddlers in the Toddler Two room spend a year in a more independent environment before entering the 3 to 6 room. These children also gain language and math skills, and solidify their sense of group or community. These children learn to cooperate and "use their words" to resolve differences. With fewer children than in the 3 to 6 room the teachers can guide these children through their toilet training experiences. Here the children learn the basics of operating in a Montessori classroom while in a cozy, nurturing environment. Their room incorporates more complex tasks and materials than in Toddler One and a greater emphasis on independence from adults.
In the 3 to 6 rooms children are mixed in ages within a three year developmental span. Mixing ages enables the older, more socially advanced and capable children to become role models for the younger ones. With the larger class size, respect for oneself, for others, and for the environment, form the basis for all classroom rules. We allow for each child to work alone, with a friend, or in a group, and to progress through the curriculum at his/her own pace.
There is freedom of movement in the Montessori classroom allowing children the opportunity to learn to control their bodies in a defined space and helping them to develop motor coordination and control. The curriculum includes materials to cover the entire span of children's interests and abilities up to the oldest and most accelerated students in the class. It is a highly enriched learning environment. The third year is often the most rewarding for a child. It is in this pivotal year that the child gains the self-satisfaction of mastering the tasks of the 3 to 6 classroom, before moving on to the next environment.
Copper Beech complements the Montessori learning materials and philosophy of education with art and dance education, music and movement, outdoor play and exploration, and exposure to foreign languages.
