Toddler Program

Toddler Program Overview

(18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS OLD)

“Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.”
– Maria Montessori

The first three years of life are fundamental to human development. Dr. Maria Montessori refers to the child during this period as the “spiritual embryo.” During this time, the child’s personality and intelligence are formed, and children acquire the culture and language into which they are born. Our Montessori Toddler Program is specifically designed to meet the needs and natural curiosity of children from 18 months to 3 years old, and to foster independence, development, and language acquisition during this special period.

Each classroom in our Toddler Community is led by a Montessori-trained teacher with specialized qualifications for that age group, and assistants support classroom management. The adults in the classroom gently guide the toddlers in a manner that enhances their innate love of learning, as well as their sense of order and independence.

Toddlers choose activities, explore, and experiment at their own pace in an environment that is carefully prepared to meet each child’s individual needs. This nurturing, secure, and social environment offers many opportunities for self-confidence, self-expression, movement, cognitive development, language growth, and social skills. Furniture is toddler-sized to allow for maximum independence, and the various activities are purposeful in order to engage children.

The Toddler Program encourages self-development in an atmosphere of respect, understanding, and encouragement. In this setting, children come to feel that the classroom is their own special space, where they play a meaningful role in their own care and in contributing to their environment. Toddlers have access to a garden and a playground with play equipment. Each day, unless the weather is inclement, the children play outside.

Curriculum

Many of the activities in the Toddler Program highlight the self-help skills that lead to independence and the child saying “I did it myself!”.

Practical Life:

Through real-life activities, children learn to care for themselves, for others, and for the environment. These activities include handwashing, toileting, dressing and undressing, dusting, flower arranging, planting, window washing, and more. Through participation in these tasks, toddlers gain independence and a growing sense of responsibility.

Food Preparation:

Children take part in setting the table, serving their own snacks, and preparing food such as slicing fruits and vegetables. These activities support independence, coordination, and confidence.

Psycho-Sensory-Motor Manipulatives:

These materials develop eye-hand coordination and a variety of finger grasps. Through the use of manipulatives, toddlers refine their visual, tactile, and stereognostic senses.

Language:

Language activities promote the expansion of toddlers’ vocabulary and communication skills. Children learn to name and categorize objects, answer questions using complete sentences, and listen to stories. Vocabulary is enriched by using nomenclature materials and matching cards. Toddlers are also supported in learning words to describe their feelings and the feelings of others, helping to foster early social interactions.

Art and Music:

Art and music activities encourage creativity, self-expression, and communication. Children explore a variety of artistic media such as crayons, clay, paint, chalk, and collage materials. They are also exposed to singing, dancing, and a variety of musical styles and instruments.

Movement:

Movement is an essential part of learning. Toddlers have access to a variety of large motor activities that enhance coordination, strength, and control of movement.

Grace and Courtesy:

Grace and Courtesy activities are practiced daily to help children learn to treat others and their environment with respect and to foster the development of a healthy classroom community. Children practice skills such as waiting for their turn in conversations, not interrupting others, and taking turns when using materials.

Schedule

Morning
8:45 am	Morning arrival.
8:45 am to 11:30 am	Morning cycle, snack time, and outdoor play time.
Afternoon
11:30 am to 12:30 pm	Preparation for lunch.
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm	Preparation for nap time and nap time (Toddlers awake on their own and are able to naturally go back to their activities in the classroom).
2:30 pm to 3:15 pm	Snack time and preparation for dismissal.
3:15 pm	Toddlers gather their belongings and go home or to aftercare.

Testimonials

“Our son has thrived in the toddler program at Parkdale Montessori. It is a stimulating and loving environment with outstanding care provided by the head teacher and her assistants – it is very much our son’s second family.” – Johnna and Ted

“The toddler staff provides a secure, loving, supportive, and stimulating environment for the toddlers. We really appreciate the fact that we never have to guess how our daughter is doing. There is consistent communication with parents through the daily log, notes, phone calls, and when necessary, face to face meetings.” – Mala and Mark

“Our son is in the toddler program and has been attending it since he was 18 months of age. Since that time, we have been impressed with the positive changes we have seen in him and continue to see in him. We are lucky to have found a school with qualified, professional, attentive and caring staff, that provides a wonderful environment for our son to grow and learn in.” – Presho and Matt

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