Toddler

Our toddler program serves children ages 2-3 years old, depending on their development stage. Our age range however, does not affect the child’s ability to move up in programs based on their mastery of all areas in their current program.

Our beautiful Montessori classrooms and materials aid in the child’s desire for knowledge and growing independence. Toddlers enjoy freedom of movement and choice to explore the specially prepared environment that is characterized by order, simplicity, and beauty. In our toddler program, practical life activities are particularly emphasized as they give children the chance to hone skills that allow them to care for themselves and the environment.

The goals for our toddler community are to help the children work by themselves and with each other, to promote independence and language acquisition, and to emphasize respect for the environment, themselves and their peers. The Montessori classroom also allows children to experience music, stories and art while promoting large and small motor development. Along the way, we also help your child to succeed in toilet training. Smiles and hugs are part of our everyday activities, too! Dr. Montessori found that during toddler years, a young child has a distinct aptitude for learning.

Sensitive to order – we build on that importance to create good habits that last a lifetime.

Absorb language from their surroundings – learning words effortlessly and with pleasure, and they become happier learning words to express their desires, rather than crying or having tantrums.

Willing & independent – we guide them in learning to do things by themselves, this develops their awareness of self-efficiency.

The following areas of learning in our Montessori environment are designed to satisfy the needs of a young child’s sensitive periods of order, independence, concentration, coordination, and exploration.

Practical Life

Exercises such as pouring, spooning, dusting, buttoning, zipping, and table setting are introduced early; providing opportunities for children to care for themselves and their environment. Lessons of grace and courtesy are practiced daily to help toddlers learn about sharing and how to be considerate of others.

Aids to Independence

These exercises help the child gain independence and develop the powers of focus and concentration, along with fine and gross motor movement.

Sensorial

Toddlers learn very effectively through their senses. Our materials and activities stimulate sensory discovery and description, while exploiting the child’s natural desire to explore, classify, and order their surroundings. Some of these activities involve: knobbed cylinders, puzzles, stacking exercises, and matching by shape, size, color, and texture.

Language

The toddler period is a sensitive length of time for language. The toddler classroom has many creative and unique materials that aid the child to expand their growing language skills. Sandpaper letters help the child learn the phonetics of the alphabet. By participating in conversations, listening to stories, classifying objects, and learning songs and poems, they nurture their minds and become more susceptible to absorbing languages.

Mathematics

The toddler uses hands-on materials for learning concrete math concepts. They are introduced to numerals 1-10, quantities, symbols, and the meaning of zero.

Art

Toddlers experiment with many different art mediums to express their creativity and to develop fine motor skills. Language skills are further enforced through the child’s description of their art and its personal meaning.

Music

Children acquire new languages most naturally at this age. During the infant and toddler phase of brain development, music is another “language” that stimulates mathematical ability and promotes vocabulary acquisition and speech skills. Music is played throughout the day. Children learn new songs and old favorites.