The Montessori School Infant-Parent Educational Series

The Montessori School, located in Wilton, Connecticut, will offer an in-depth, interactive 10-class series addressing infant development and the infant-parent relationship. Lisa Fay, early childhood and parent educator certified with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) at the birth to three level, leads classes inspired by the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori, an innovator in the field of early childhood education.

Expectant parents, parents and babies alike will benefit from this series designed to follow children’s natural tendency to explore the well-prepared environment around them, and introduce parents to the benefits of observing their babies in an intentional way.

“Ground-breaking neuroscience shows us how powerful an influence the infant’s environment is to his cognitive, physical and even spiritual development, “ says Lisa. “My life’s work is to deepen my understanding of young children, educate parents about their babies’ capabilities and raise parents’ awareness of ways in which they can help their children realize their enormous potential. We observe together their babies’ exciting development unfold in a classroom perfectly set up for their physical and intellectual needs.”

Lisa explains that while books can offer some guidance for parents on how to meet the needs of their children, the work of development belongs to the child alone. These hands-on and interactive classes focus on the importance of movement, language, care of the self, and independence with sleeping and eating. Montessori’s idea was that a child possesses an “absorbent mind”, and begins - even before birth - to explore his environment with all of his senses. The class offers parents the opportunity to see in “real time” how the Montessori prepared environment is a dynamic classroom that fosters the young child’s curiosity and independence, and meets his cognitive and physical need for challenge at each stage of development. “Most people think elementary school is when children begin to learn tenacity, initiative, independence and a love of work. In fact, these are qualities learned and honed from birth, and parents can help foster them,” Fay added.

Infant-Parent Series Schedule (choose from 3 convenient sessions)

$275 for the series (includes orientation, one evening seminar and eight morning classes).

Session 1

Orientation - October 8, 7-8pm

Evening Seminar - November 5, 7-8pm

Tuesdays October 13, 20, 27 or

9-10am November 3, 10, 17, 24

December 1

Thursdays October 15, 22, 29

November 5, 12, 19

December 3, 10

Session 2

Orientation - January 7, 7-8pm

Evening Seminar - February 11, 7-8pm

Tuesdays January 12, 19, 26 or

9-10am February 2, 9, 16, 23

March 1

Thursdays January 14, 21, 28

February 4, 11, 18, 25

March 3

Session 3

Orientation - March 29, 7-8pm

Evening Seminar - May 4, 7-8p

Tuesdays April 5, 12, 19, 26 or

9-10am May 3, 10, 17, 24

Thursdays April 7, 14, 21, 28

May 5, 12, 19, 26

To participate in the Infant-Parent Educational Series, please contact The Montessori School at 203.834.0440.

All classes will be held at The Montessori School, 34 Whipple Road, Wilton, CT.

Registration for the series is required.

About The Montessori School

A Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori and characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development, conducted in a prepared and nurturing environment. The Montessori School is a private tuition-based independent school with a comprehensive program of tuition assistance in cases of financial need. The Montessori School is accredited by both the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS). For more about The Montessori School, with locations at 34 Whipple Road, Wilton, CT 06897 and 24 Lois Street, Norwalk, CT 06851please visit www.themontessorischool.com.