Full and Part Day Toddler Programs (18 to 36 months)

Our full-day and part-day toddler classrooms are specially prepared environments that are designed to meet the needs of children who are 18 months to 3 years of age. Maria Montessori studied and observed infants and toddlers in a scientific manner and she knew that from birth to age three was when a child’s brain develops most rapidly and they learn more than at any other stage of development.

By choosing a Montessori education for your young child, you will be giving her the opportunity to grow and develop in a safe and nurturing environment with caring teachers who are formally trained in the Montessori Method at the Infant/Toddler level.

Part Day Toddler

Our Part Day Toddler program is a five day a week program for children ages 18 months to 3 years. Beginning in August 2023, we will offer a 4.5 hour morning session from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The light-filled classroom features dedicated areas for children to work independently or together using a variety of materials that allow children to develop language and vocabulary skills, fine and gross motor skills, social skills (grace and courtesy) and care of self (toileting/dressing/handwashing) and care of environment (sweeping/dusting/plant watering) skills. There are spaces designed specifically for movement, art, reading, and self-care/toileting. The bathroom is designed for young children with low toilets and sinks. A large rug provides a gathering space for daily circle times where guides read books, sing songs, and offer seasonal lessons. Outdoor playtime is essential and we use the on-site playground and take short neighborhood walks to other nearby play spaces. Children eat snack together. The environment is designed to be peaceful, orderly and full of beautiful materials and items such as real plants, flowers, and art for the children to experience with all of their senses.

Full Day Toddler

Our Full Day Toddler program is a five day a week program (from 8:30am to 5:30pm) for children who are 18 months to 3 years old. The light-filled classroom features dedicated areas for children to work independently or together using a variety of materials that allow children to develop language and vocabulary skills, fine and gross motor skills, social skills (grace and courtesy) and care of self (toileting/dressing/handwashing) and care of environment (sweeping/dish washing/plant watering) skills. There are spaces designed specifically for movement, art, reading, eating and food preparation, and self-care/toileting. The bathroom is designed for young children with low toilets and sinks. A large rug provides a gathering space for daily circle times where guides share books, songs, and offer seasonal lessons. Outdoor playtime is essential and we use the on-site playground and take short neighborhood walks to other nearby play spaces. Children eat together during community meal times where they set their own placemats and dishes out and serve themselves. During naptime the curtains are drawn, sound machines come on and the children settle themselves onto low cots with blankets and pillows for a period of rest.

The environment is prepared by trained Montessori guides in a manner that encourages freedom of movement, independence, exploration, concentration, and joy. A Montessori toddler classroom meets the needs of each individual child and is a place of beauty with items such as real plants, flowers, and artwork for the children to experience with all of their senses.

Curriculum

Our toddler programs support children in becoming independent and capable members of a community while allowing them to freely experience the joys of discovery, exploration, and movement. At the Toddler level, Montessori curriculum is focused on helping children develop core skills through engaging in practical activities and working with materials and activities that interest them:

• Care of self: toilet learning, hand washing, dressing, eating, napping
• Care of environment: cleaning, putting away materials, dishwashing, food preparation
• Language: vocabulary development, verbalizing needs and wants, describing images, having conversations, singing
• Fine motor skills: developing hand muscles through picking up and transferring objects, working with tools and utensils, making art works
• Gross motor skills: climbing, balancing, rocking, spinning, running, walking carefully in a line, doing art at an easel
• Socialization: Talking to adults and other children, participating in group circle times and games, learning names, learning manners, practicing empathy and care for others