Infant & Toddler Program

(Ages 3 months - 2 years)

At Barrie, our Infant & Toddler Program nurtures each child’s natural curiosity through hands-on, self-directed learning in thoughtfully prepared environments.

Infants (Starting at 3 Months)
Our infant program provides a warm, secure space where freedom of movement and exploration lay the foundation for independence. Montessori materials and routines foster focus, confidence, and a joyful introduction to learning.

Toddlers
As children grow, they transition into toddler communities designed to support emerging independence. Through purposeful activities, toddlers build language, motor, and social skills while learning to make choices and care for themselves and others.

Nature & Movement
Outdoor exploration is integral to our program. Infants and toddlers regularly enjoy our 45-acre wooded campus—rain or shine—building resilience and sensory awareness. Toddlers also participate in weekly music and PE classes.

From infancy onward, our classrooms promote independence, confidence, and discovery—core values of Barrie’s Montessori foundation and lifelong learning journey.

Stepping Stones Summer Program
Barrie’s Stepping Stones is an eight-week summer program for current Infant and Toddler students. Rooted in Montessori principles, the program offers hands-on projects, nature walks, water play, music, and art—guided by our experienced Barrie teachers. Children enjoy a fun, safe summer in familiar surroundings with Barrie friends.

Eligibility

• Open to all current Infant and Toddler students (regardless of fall enrollment); priority is given to re-enrolled students.
• Occasionally open to Primary students if space remains after the deadline.
• Bathroom independence is not required.
• Children turning 3.5 before summer may be eligible for Barrie Camp.

Enrollment details are shared directly with eligible families.
For questions, contact Heidi Novak at HNovak@barrie.org or MontessoriFrontOffice@barrie.org.

Primary (Ages 3–6)

Barrie’s Montessori classrooms for ages 3–6 are thoughtfully prepared to support each child’s natural development through hands-on, purposeful work. Core curricular areas include:

• Practical Life

• Sensorial
• Language & Library
• Math
• Cultural (Biology, History, Geography)
• Peace & Mindfulness

These environments foster independence, concentration, coordination, and a deep sense of order. Materials are carefully sequenced and placed to help children build confidence and internal structure—essential foundations for lifelong learning.

Children choose work based on interest, guided by Montessori-credentialed teachers and inspired by peers. With freedom within limits, they learn responsibility, care for materials, and respect for their community.

Special classes include art, music, physical education, and Makerspace for older Primary students.

Lower Elementary (Grades 1–3)

Barrie’s Lower Elementary classrooms are multi-age communities where students remain with the same teacher for three years. This structure fosters strong relationships, continuity in learning, and leadership opportunities as older students mentor younger peers.

Exploration & Discovery
At this stage of cosmic education, children are driven by curiosity and imagination. They explore geography, history, biology, math, geometry, language, and science using hands-on Montessori materials that lead from concrete experience to abstract understanding.

Academic Foundations

• Math: Place value, operations, fractions, and geometry begin with tactile materials.
• Language: Reading, writing, grammar, and spelling are integrated across the curriculum.
• Cultural Studies: Students study continents and cultures through maps, research, cooking, and celebrations, often focusing on 2–3 countries each year.
• Science & Nature: Botany, zoology, and earth sciences are enriched by our 45-acre campus.

Work Habits & Independence
Students use personalized work plans to build time management and goal-setting skills. Each day includes a balance of independent work, small group lessons, and collaboration. Productive work time supports focus, responsibility, and intrinsic motivation.

Community & Practical Life
Children care for their classroom, prepare snacks, tend to plants and animals, and practice grace and courtesy. Student-led class meetings foster voice, empathy, and conflict resolution.

Enrichment
Lower Elementary students enjoy art, music, physical education, and Makerspace, extending their learning through creativity and movement.

Upper Elementary (Grades 4–5)

Barrie’s Upper Elementary program builds on the foundation of Cosmic Education, guiding students as they deepen academic understanding, develop life skills, and explore their role in the world. With increased freedom and responsibility, students choose meaningful work while meeting academic expectations.

Integrated, Hands-On Learning
Students engage in math, humanities, science, geography, art, music, and physical education through cross-curricular, project-based studies. Work includes:

• Independent and collaborative research
• Writing across genres
• Scientific experiments and investigations
• Advanced Montessori math and language work
• Group discussions and follow-up studies based on student interest

Learning Beyond the Classroom
Extended learning is central to Upper Elementary. Students take part in rich, real-world experiences through:

• Cross-curricular field trips (e.g. Echo Hill, archaeological digs, cultural events)
• Expert guest speakers
• Outdoor exploration of science and history

The Going Out Program
A hallmark of Montessori, Going Out allows small student-led groups to extend classroom research into the wider world. Planning and executing these trips fosters independence, initiative, and real-world problem-solving.