“Montessori Fundays” – the Popular Parent-Toddler Program at Daycroft Montessori School of Ann Arbor – Adds Dates for Late Winter and Spring

Daycroft Montessori School (www.daycroft.org) of Ann Arbor has scheduled new series of “Montessori Fundays” – the school’s popular parent-toddler program – for the rest of the school year.

Montessori Fundays introduces parents or caregivers and their children from age 18 months to three years to the highly personalized, Montessori-style learning approach at Daycroft. In each lesson, a Daycroft teacher guides young children using Montessori materials.

“Parents get a real sense of our student-centered approach,” says Michele Buchanan, Daycroft’s associate head of school and educational director. “They see how learning can be fun and effective when their child, guided by our teacher, makes choices in the classroom.”

This, adds Laura Tallman, Daycroft’s Montessori Fundays teacher, can be the child’s first step along a lifelong learning path. “A child naturally loves to learn,” she says. “We appreciate children’s differences and accommodate their individual learning styles. Our materials help point children to what interests them most.”

Daycroft has held seasonal Montessori Fundays sessions since fall 2010. “The program has been very well received,” Buchanan says. “Getting an early taste of Montessori-style learning can help smooth the transition to a Montessori preschool. A number of children who first came to us for Montessori Fundays are now enrolled as Daycroft students.”

Multi-Week Series or Single Lessons – at Two Locations

Daycroft is offering Montessori Fundays lessons this winter and spring at two locations: the school’s Preprimary Campus at 100 Oakbrook Dr. (near Briarwood Mall) and My Urban Toddler (www.myurbantoddler.com), the popular play store and educational event site at 7325 E. Michigan Ave. (US-12) in Pittsfield Township, just east of Saline.

Daycroft’s Preprimary Campus holds Montessori Fundays series of two lessons per week – a choice of Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Montessori Fundays at My Urban Toddler happen once per week, on Fridays.

Montessori Fundays series this calendar year began the week of January 7 at both locations. They will continue through the end of May. There will, however, be no Montessori Fundays lessons from February 18 to 22, and from March 29 to April 5, while Daycroft takes its mid-winter and spring breaks.

Parents may enroll their children for multi-week series or single lessons. The cost is $20 per lesson in a multi-week series, or $22 per single lesson. Enrollment is limited to eight children per lesson. Pre-registration is required.

Register Online or by Phone or Email – One Free Lesson

Parents can register online for multi-week series or single lessons, for either location, at www.daycroft.org/fundays. Alternatively, parents may call Daycroft at (734) 930-0333, or email the school at fundays@daycroft.org, to register directly.

Another option: Registration for Montessori Fundays at My Urban Toddler can happen by calling the store at (734) 944-3628 or emailing them at info@myurbantoddler.com.

Daycroft offers one free Montessori Fundays lesson at the school’s Preprimary Campus. Parents who call and mention code WS2010 will get the free lesson.

Complete details on the Montessori Fundays program – including schedules, costs, and registration for the winter and spring 2013 series – can be found at www.daycroft.org/fundays.

About Daycroft Montessori School

Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive education. This helps Daycroft accomplish its mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their potential.

Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County’s leading private schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.

Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS; www.aims-mi.org), the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org), and the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association (NAMTA; www.montessori-namta.org).

Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.  Phone: (734) 930-0333.

Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft’s administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.  Phone: (734) 662-3335.