Infant/Toddler Program (0-24 Months)
The program for these children is governed by their developmental needs. With an appropriate adult-child ratio, the prepared environment is divided into four main areas:
In addition, there is a couch and rocking chair. We do not include such equipment as walkers, swings, playpens, and highchairs in our program since these items do not have developmental values to babies.
The teachers:
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM (AGES 2-4 YEARS)
In programming for the preschool children, we consider several factors regarding the preschool child. We know that environmental factors greatly influence the child’s quality of development. We know that the first five years of a child are the most susceptible to environmental influences. Research consistently points out that success in a child’s progress through school depends largely on the type of foundation laid in the first five years. With these and indeed many other factors in mind, we plan activities that are developmentally and culturally appropriate for the children, given their ages, cultural backgrounds, and levels of development. All the activities are built around specific themes such as: Friends; Colors of fall; Home; Thanksgiving; Snow, etc. Several skills are introduced or reinforced through the planned themes. The skills may be from pre-academic subjects such as Math, Science, Language Arts, Music, Art, Social Studies, Computers, etc. Recognizing that children learn to think at an early age, we include lots of opportunities for children to learn and apply thinking skills.
This part-time program is intended for academic, social and cultural enrichment for children who may not need extra hours for childcare.
For Whom: Ages 2-4 years. Half days (M-F, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., hours and times may vary at each center or school))
By consulting with the children’s public school teachers, our staff is able to plan and implement a developmentally, culturally and seasonally appropriate program of instruction that provides continuity to the program children are learning in their regular classrooms. This is done through a planned environment that fosters the love of learning in subject areas such as music, art, science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, sports, and computer literacy. Much emphasis is placed on the development of thinking skills; the performing arts such as play acting, poetry, and children’s classical music. The teachers plan and implement these activities in a warm and nurturing environment.
A variety of activity presentation methods are utilized including learning centers planned large group games, small “club” or special interest groups, and activity centers. Activity opportunities are available to each child daily. Activities are offered on a rotating basis and give children an opportunity to choose based upon their own skills and interests. Some centers involve active or quiet activities which give children the opportunity to socialize and work on cooperation and group problem solving skills. Other activities allow children to learn and practice skills in creating projects to take home. Still, other centers focus on fun activities, which reinforce children’s academic skills. Time is also provided each day for assistance with homework.
Centers are open during Christmas and Easter recess, Montgomery County Public half days and other days on which school is closed and MCPS Administrative Offices are open.
This program is located at the Montrose School House, next to Montrose Crossing Shopping Center (5721 Randolph Road) in Rockville, Maryland. Formerly one-classroom school built in 1909, the classrooms are equipped with the latest developmentally appropriate computer lab and library. Our small school is a place where your child learns at his or her own pace. One of the outstanding features at the Montrose School is that the children learn both Spanish and French through music. Visit or call the school at (301) 770-4233.
The summer program consists of out-of-school hobbies and activities done by the children, teachers and parents purely for enjoyment. Inherent in all the activities is our goal to enrich and complement the children’s skills acquired during the previous school year while laying the foundation for the approaching school year. We strongly believe that leisure activities play a role in the development of talent and creativity among children at any given age.
Because this is a leisure program, the children, parents, program staff and Center Director select the activities. Sometime in December of each year, a questionnaire is completed by each of the above groups (with the younger children verbally expressing their desires to the teachers who record them). A Summer Leisure Program Committee condenses the choices and finalizes the program for the following summer. The final program is made available to parents by the first day of spring. Program topics are as varied as the children’s interests. On the average, however, the program activities may come from areas such as: Space Science; Biology; Environmental Science; Banking; Music; Drama; Multicultural Projects; International Games and Dances; Holidays Around the World; Marine Science; Ancient Empires; and “Everyday Happenings Around the World.” By being involved in these topics, the children are actually applying their acquired skills accomplished during the preceding school year in subject areas such as Math, Science, Language Arts, Arts, Social Studies, Music, and Physical Education.
Evident in all the projects the children are involved in during the summer program is our goal to facilitate thinking skills among all the children. Additionally, children participate in indoor and outdoor games and sports, swimming, field trips, picnics, performing arts, guest presentations, intramural projects, drama, poetry, and music.
At the Youth Club, we believe that when children are out of school, they should be in a home-like environment. For them, this is a time to unwind, relax and do those things they like to do during their leisure time. This is the way life is at the club. Members listen to music, play table games, do homework with the assistance of the teachers if needed, and guided educational computers are always accessible to them in their “living room.” This is what children say about their club:
“We, the youths today, are the adults of tomorrow. This is our club because it is for and by us. We like many things about our club”:
1. We like the fact that the atmosphere is relaxed, trusting and
intimate where we are encouraged to pursue our own
interests, make friends, grow in confidence, independence and
respect for ourselves and others;
2. Our caring staff shows genuine respect for us, have
confidence in our individual potentials and promote self-
esteem among all of us;
3. Our place is inviting, comfortable, attractive, orderly, and
manageable by us, and is a happy exciting place to be.
4. As a result of being members of the Optimal Youth Club, we
participate in exciting and meaningful activities and projects
from subject areas such as: Mind and Muscle Fitness, Values,
Performing and Fine Arts, Thinking games, Business,
Intergenerational Projects.
The Youth Club is a membership club. All enrolled children are automatically club members. Like all clubs, there is a membership fee ($20/school year). The fees belong to the club members and are used to purchase tee-shirts, club hats, etc as well as “seed” money for their business projects.
Parents love the Youth Club because it is affordable and their children have a place to be when not in school (before and after school), during school recess and half days. Parents can be assured that their children are in a safe, healthy prepared environment where their emotional, social, physical, cultural, and cognitive needs are being met. The activities and projects the children are involved in complement their school experiences. The parents are well-informed of every aspect of the program on an ongoing basis.
For Whom: Children ages 5-12 years
When: Year-round
OPTIMAL LEARNING CENTERS 431 NORTH FREDERIC AVE, SUITE 206 GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877 |
PHONE: 301-670-9116 |
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