Programs Overview

Dancing Moose incorporates the foundational principles, methods, and materials of Montessori while recognizing that education is dynamic and progressive.  Many important learning principles are inspired by contemporary theorists, and Dancing Moose continually revisits curricular goals and related materials to include current research.  To complement the wide range of Montessori materials, Dancing Moose utilizes a variety of contemporary learning resources and activities.   Common core standards, including an on ongoing emphasis in language arts and mathematics, are emphasized in everyday curricular goals.  Subjects that may have been separated in traditional settings are integrated in the Dancing Moose curriculum.  Technology is also an important tool to differentiate curriculum as well as serve the needs for teachers’ record keeping and communicating children’s achievement.

Dancing Moose programs extend from 18 months to second grade with developmentally-appropriate activities for each child.  Full-time programs are available for toddlers and two-year-olds, and a variety of part-time and full-time programs are available for children three and older.

Toddlers & Twos   |   Preschool   |   Elementary

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Toddlers and Twos Program

Beginning in the toddler classes, children work independently to develop critical thinking skills and self confidence from completing work that they have chosen.

The toddler classroom is equipped with a child-sized sink and a variety of Montessori and other age-appropriate materials displayed at the toddlers’ eye level.  Learning materials consist of high quality Montessori materials, each with a distinct purpose for the child.  Rugs and tables designate activity space;  Music, dancing, and singing are also a regular part of this classroom.  Just outside the toddler door is a separate age-appropriate playground for children under three.  Some of children’s favorite activities include watering plants with spray bottles, visiting the gym to sing and dance and play with balls, bubbles, and parachutes.  Practical life activities include washing hands, wiping tables, pouring water, grasping with tongs, and many others.  The environment is carefully prepared to facilitate exploration and discovery.

Phonemic Awareness is an important part of the two-year-old classroom.  Children learn how to break apart a word by sounds before they even begin to recognize the written symbols.  Once a child recognizes that sounds make up words, the child learns to associate the letters with sounds.  For math, children begin to recognize numerical symbols, and they begin to associate quantities with the symbols.