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Our Toddler Program

Our Toddler Room provides children of this age with an opportunity to explore new relationships with friends and to interact with adults in a loving and nurturing environment. As part of their Montessori experience, toddlers are introduced to age-appropriate Montessori materials and invited to make choices from a variety of activities that support their developmental interests and needs. The toddler's strong sense of autonomy is encouraged and self-esteem is enhanced through social and learning experiences. The emphasis on the program for two to three year olds is on the rudiments of movement, socialization and language development. Practical life is an integral part of all Montessori classes, but is especially important at this stage of development. From it they begin to learn independence, confidence and concentration which are all necessary to continue further learing experiences. Toddlers enjoy music and movement and creative art within the classroom curriculum. Snacks and outdoor play are a part of the daily routine. The toddler need not be toilet-trained since this is often a part of the toddler development.

Practical Life Excercises - these exercises instill care of self, care for others and the environment. These exercises use familiar objects that children recognize from their home experience such as spoons, dishes, buttons, water, etc. They are encouraged to perform simple everyday tasks. Through these exercises children develop orderliness, concentration, independence, confidence, and fine motor skills.

Grace and Courtesy - toddlers learn social skills, good manners, consideration for others, and respect for their environment through lessons and practical life experiences. These are the basic skills that will be built upon and help them be successful in all their future endeavors.

Sensorial Exercises - these exercises respond to the toddler's urge to use all their senses. They also help organize thinking. Children learn cognitive skills, learn to classify impressions by using senses and come to an understanding of height, length, mass, light/heavy, etc. The lessons also hone fine motor skills.

Language Development - to accommodate their sensitive period for language, children build a vocabulary and understanding of a variety of words. They join conversations, classify objects, and learn songs and poems.

Math - There are some simple, concrete materials available for beginning math skills such as sequencing of numbers and quantity.

Art, Music and Movement - toddlers learn to use their imagination, develop fine motor control, learn to hold a pencil correctly, practice coloring inside the lines of pictures. Singing helps with language development and logical thinking. Moving to music helps develop spatial skills and gross motor control.