• Curriculum

    Twos Program

We understand that for a child, the process of learning is as important as what they learned. By addressing every aspect of each child’s development, we are able to lay a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Twos Program

212 West 95th Street

The Twos Program celebrates one of childhood’s most exciting transformations as children become more confident learners. During this remarkable year, children refine their language, strengthen their self-regulation, deepen relationships with peers, and embrace new challenges. Building upon the strong foundation established during the infant and toddler years, our Montessori environment encourages children to think independently, collaborate with others, and experience the satisfaction of purposeful work.

Carefully prepared classrooms invite children to make choices, solve problems, communicate their ideas, and care for themselves and their community. Uninterrupted work periods allow children to follow their interests and develop concentration.

Throughout the day, children participate in music and movement, outdoor exploration, group gatherings, shared meals, art experiences, and Practical Life activities that strengthen both independence and social responsibility. Teachers guide children in developing self-regulation, emotional awareness, resilience, and respectful relationships.

In WSMS classrooms, learning is an ongoing, dynamic process of self-construction within a social context. Teachers help children discover their own independence and self-care abilities. Environments are designed for children to gain mastery of food preparation and feeding. Teachers in both multi-age classrooms and the Twos program participate in mealtimes rather than simply monitoring feeding, model appropriate lessons of grace and courtesy and encourage conversation between children. Community is further established throughout the day during work time. Children are free to work together, and are not limited by a number dictated by teachers for each material. The bathroom environment is prepared to allow children as much independence in the process of toileting as possible.

The Twos classroom begins with a sparse offering of materials, many of which may be familiar to children from home. This assists children to find comfort in their new environment, as they navigate separation from parents and caregivers in the first days of school. Duplos, puzzles, and other small manipulatives dominate the offerings. Children are gently introduced to the process of preparing work for the next child by teacher direction and modeling. With this repetition, children become acclimated to the cycle of activity in the classroom; eventually, more multi-step activities and some materials that are included in the early childhood environments are introduced.

Music and movement are daily and integral parts of gathering times, offering an irresistible invitation to join together. Yoga cards are available as prompts for poses. An art project, such as large scale marble painting or exploring paint with your feet, might be offered for all children to explore over the course of a work period; the children are welcome to choose, or not choose, this activity throughout the day.

For the Twos, the peaceful classroom begins with the daily interaction of children in the environment. Their approach to the Montessori peace curriculum is organic: teachers observe, see a situation, and step in, if necessary, to guide or mediate. They provide language, assisting children to find the words to express their feelings appropriately. The children come to understand their own responsibility for their shared environment and the community as they are guided to return their materials to order for the next child’s use.