Metairie Toddler Class
Upon entering the Toddler classroom in Metairie, you can feel the love and warmth that the toddlers experience on a daily basis. A neutral color scheme promotes calmness throughout the class. Everything is designed with the 1—2 year old child in mind, including low-rise shelves that provide easy accessibility for choosing “work.” Our room meets the children’s needs for tranquility, beauty, security, order, and learning. In this “Prepared Environment,” the child can easily focus on the shelves that are prepared with activities designed to meet the child’s interests and budding competencies. These activities encompass: vocabulary building, sensorial stimulations with sound, touch, smell, and sight, and practice with eye/hand coordination.
The toddler’s days are filled with love and encouragement. At group time the toddlers not only sing songs, they sign them. Story time, art activities, cooking, and outside play are a daily part of the toddler’s day. The children participate in table cleaning along with learning to sweep and wipe spills. Social skills are emphasized daily as is verbalizing their wants, needs, likes, and dislikes. Great attention is given to helping the children identify their feelings and express them appropriately.
Many modern neuroscientists have come to the same conclusion as Dr. Montessori-- that it is in the first three years of life the brain absorbs more information than at any other time. We know that your toddler will greatly benefit from the loving, encouraging environment that is prepared just for your child’s needs and absorbent mind.
Acsa Colmenares
Toddler Team Leader
Mrs. Acsa Colmenares came to us in 2005. She has been a teacher in the Toddler class and also works with the Preschool class after 3:00 p.m. When asked what her motivation for teaching at Kinder Haus was, she said “I believe its crucial to help all children get a fair chance at a solid beginning in life. My mother has been a teacher for 25 years and she encouraged me to do the same. She said she saw an innate ability in me when it came to children. I took her advice and I believe she was right. I enjoy the children very much.” She is a certified Montessori Teacher receiving her certification from North American Progressive Montessori. In her spare time Acsa enjoys reading and scrap booking. She has a background in News Writing from Nicholls State University.
Chivon Haynes
Toddler Team Member
Ms. Haynes came to New Orleans from Canada. Chivon has previous work experience in day camps and child care. In her spare time she enjoys painting, drawing, singing, reading, meeting new people and travel. Her goal is to help every child reach their growing needs in everyday skills, creativity and developmental components of their lives through multiple activities and fun challenges. Ms. Chivon is in the Toddler class from 7:30-3:15. We are happy to have her smiling face and upbeat attitude on our Toddler team.
Roshena Foy
Toddler Team Member
You’ll notice Ms. Roshena’s, or Ms. “Nay-Nay”, as the kids call her, outgoing and nurturing personality immediately. This former Montessori Preschool teacher quickly identifies with children because she is not afraid of being “silly,” all the while maintaining children’s self-control in large groups. “The children will be like one of my own,” says Ms. Roshena, who takes over the position of Toddler Afternoon Teacher. Kinder Haus recognized Ms. Foy’s Montessori skills and felt confident her background and knowledge will bring fresh experiences to our Toddler friends. In her downtime, Ms. Roshena enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling.
