Parent-Infant Program

The Parent-Infant Series at the Barbara Gordon Montessori School introduces families to Montessori philosophy and its practical applications for the very young child. Child and parent interact during weekly classes within a specially prepared Montessori environment that supports the child’s growing independence and need for meaningful challenges and relationships. Optimal infant development is supported by recognizing and meeting the needs of the young child, which requires parents skilled in the art of observation. The helpful presence of the Montessori guide and a familiar parent community empowers parents to observe the child, reflect on her needs, wait to intervene when appropriate to allow the child to overcome challenges, and act with confidence when help is needed. The Parent-Infant series supports parental learning and infant development with an emphasis on language, motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and social interaction.

The Parent-Infant Series for the child from 2 months to almost walking focuses on the specific needs and rapid physical and mental development of the newly born child. From stationary work with mobiles that encourage visual development to other materials that encourage grasping, rolling, slithering, scooting, crawling, and eventually pulling up to stand, the environment for the youngest child offers a variety of appropriately challenging, sensorial experiences to bolster the acquisition of purposeful movement and language. The rewards and challenges of parenting a newborn and infant, and the importance of respectful parenting drive the parent discussions in this first community for infants and their parents.

Once a child stands and “cruises,” he requires an environment, that offers opportunities for furthering gross and fine motor coordination, as well as offering advanced opportunities for his broadening independence and growing self-confidence through meaningful activity. In the Parent-Infant Series, the child from walking to 16 months needs work that allows him to use his maximum effort -- carrying heavy objects, pushing and pulling wagons and rolling toys, climbing, jumping, and running. A different kind of parenting is also required as the child moves from total dependence on the parent to periods of independence mixed with intense focus; this environment offers practical advice to the adults who spend time with the young, walking child.

Child and parent may come and go as necessary each class day to accommodate the child’s routines. Every fifth class includes a 30-minute parent discussion group (the dates that are in bold) that will cover topics including the home environment and specific developmental stages of the young child, as well as many parenting concerns. Each class group is limited to 8 child/parent couples, so please register early!