Toddler
Ages 2 to 3
Our Toddler program provides a home-like environment in which children feel loved and safe to explore, develop and learn.
With experienced and nurturing teachers, our program ensures each child is cared for every moment of the day. Our extraordinary student teacher ratio means every child thrives.
The Toddler year is a time for incredible growth. Children have an extraordinary sensitivity to language, spatial relationships, music, art, social expectations, and more. During this time, our children benefit for the enriched environment of hands-on learning activities.
Children develop toilet skills during their time in the Toddler classroom under the care of our expert teachers. Potty training is not required for admission.
Our Teachers Make the Difference
The most distinguishing characteristic of Evergreen School is the quality and expertise of our faculty. Our teachers are committed to the Montessori philosophy. They believe in the capability and dignity of each child. Our primary goal is to foster and enhance each child’s natural sense of joy and wonder. Each classroom is characterized by collaboration, kindness and a strong sense of purpose.
We offer:
- A place where each child is exceptionally well known and loved.
- An intimate, caring classroom community.
- 2 experienced teachers and 12 children (6:1 teacher ratio).
- Materials that engage children’s minds and hands in active learning.
- Individual pacing ensures optimal learning.
- One-on-one and small group work.
- Support for toilet training and hygiene skills.
- Music, library, and Creative Movement weekly.
Toddler Curriculum
Sample Daily Schedule
8:30-8:45 Arrival
8:30-11:00 Work Time (Montessori Lessons, Music, Library, Snack)
11:00-11:45 Recess
11:45-12:30 Lunch, Clean Up, Read Aloud
12:30-2:45 Story Time and Nap
3:00 Dismissal
Language
Toddlers learn new words every day. Language is an integral part of the classroom as our three teachers describe materials, read stories, and encourage verbalization. When ready, children learn letter sounds– the beginning of reading. Students are exposed to language in books and read alouds, objects, pictures, and conversation.
Cognitive Skills
Cognitive skills include pre-mathematical skills as problem solving, sequencing, grouping, number skills, and more. These skills are developed using engaging materials
Practical Life
Children learn to care for themselves by using child-sized materials. They pour from small pitchers, wipe tables with small sponges, serve snacks using small tongs, and more. In addition, our teachers work with families to determine a routine for toileting. Students learn to be independent with their hygiene like washing hands and blowing noses.
Social Development
Social lessons begin with the most basic method of teaching: by example. Teachers model how to share, say please and thank you, push in chairs, and act respectfully to others. Children are taught to care for materials and nature through lessons and by example.
Sensory and Motor Activites
Children experiment with shapes, colors, sizes, and sounds to refine their abilities to classify and categorize. Toddlers practice creative work such as cutting, gluing, coloring, and painting.
Motor activities include those that focus on fine motor skills as well as gross motor skills, and involve eye-hand coordination, visual acuity, and manual dexterity.
Specials: Music, Creative Movement/Dance and Library
Toddlers participate in two music and creative movement and dance classes each week. These programs introduce Toddlers to music making, movement, coordination, grosss motor development and language. Toddlers visit the Evergreen library every week. Toddlers love riding the school bus to during field trips as well.
Belonging, Sense of Self and Identity
Evergreen teachers in all programs actively work to ensure that all children see themselves in the curriculum and develop a strong sense of self, pride in one’s particular ethnic, cultural, racial and religious heritage, family structure, gender identity, and more.
In the Toddler program, students learn about cultures through nomenclature cards, real objects, and cooking projects. Each child is referred to as a “friend” to communicate that no matter the physical differences or appearance, anyone can show kindness, be trustworthy, and have compassion. All children are included in each activity, never singled out for their abilities, background or appearance. Children are met where they are developmentally and their strengths are celebrated in the classroom community among their peers.