Academic Programs : Toddler

Toddler

"The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six."
- Maria Montessori

Our Toddler classroom offers a nurturing, safe environment where children 18 months to 3 years old develop social skills, gross and fine motor skills, and independence.  It is a relaxed, comfortable community where each child is allowed to choose his or her activities and follow his or her own interests.  The materials are inviting, the teachers are loving and nurturing, and the children are encouraged to take the time they need to do things independently. 

The interview process for our Toddler Program includes a Home Visit.  Because we know that our youngest students are not able to tell us about their nature, we schedule a time to observe your child in the comfort of his/her home environment.  In this way, we can better understand how your child learns and interacts with his/her toys and the other important people in his/her life.  During this visit we also can talk with you about how we can complement each other as partners in your child’s growth and development.

When a child in our Toddler Program turns 2-1/2 years old and is toilet trained, that child then is eligible to move into our Primary Program.  Children who come through a Montessori Toddler program tend to be among the best students in the years to come because of their early preparation.

Toddlers have a great sensitivity to language, spatial relationships, music, art, social graces, and more.  If, during this period, they are exposed to a rich environment, the brain literally will develop a much stronger and lasting ability to learn and accomplish.

There is a scheduled nap time for all toddlers in the afternoon. In addition, each child can rest or sleep when he or she is tired.  Snack, too, is always at hand for the children to eat when they are hungry.

Our Toddler program offers before and after care from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. The children remain in their regular classroom during extended hours. They will engage in play activities with a care taker in a comfortable and nurturing environment. We encourage parents to come in to the classroom with their child in the mornings to help smooth the transition and offer their child an opportunity to comfortably settle in to an activity.