Toddler
Our Young Children’s Community is welcoming, engaging, and designed to meet the needs of the 18 month to 3 year old child.
Program Overview
Our Montessori trained teachers encourage children to encounter the joys of the real and natural world in a comforting, home-like setting designed to ease the young toddler’s transition into the classroom.
The space is prepared especially for toddlers, offering a uniquely peaceful atmosphere of beauty, order, understanding, respect, and support.
Movement and language enrichment activities form the foundation of our program as the child’s development of coordinated fine and gross motor movement and expressive language take shape.
The children in the Young Children’s Community work to develop skills to care for themselves and their surroundings. Activities such as preparing and serving group snacks, and setting and clearing the table promote a sense of grace and courtesy.
Other activities, including plant and animal care and flower arranging, help to foster toddlers’ ever-expanding independence. A wide array of choices in our child-sized, child-friendly classroom encourages the growth of self esteem, self confidence, focus, and independence.
Typical Day
Children in our Young Children’s Community are escorted into the building by their parents during our morning carline from 8:15-8:30. After the child’s first few days or weeks in their new environment when they have had a chance to acclimate and become comfortable with the classroom routine, parents say goodbye at the classroom door where students are greeted by the teachers. Children then put away personal belongings in their cubbies and begin to work with materials in the room.
Once all the students have arrived, children gather together in circle and start their day with prayer, song, and simple Bible stories. Children are then free to move about the environment selecting work. During this time individual lessons are given using specific materials.
Throughout the morning children are encouraged to try and use the toilet, but mid-morning is set aside as time dedicated to ensuring that each child has participated in the toileting process.
At around 10 a.m., snack preparation commences. Children help to set the tables, laying out tablecloths, placemats, and dishes. During snack time children practice grace and courtesy and other practical life skills such as passing food, serving themselves and others, and pouring. Children use non-plastic cups and dishes from the first day in the classroom in order to learn the importance of gentle hands and slow movements. Children ask to be excused from the table before clearing dishes and linens.
After snack, children gather for group activities such as music and movement, stories, and singing. Weather permitting, the community heads outside after group time until noon dismissal. At noon, students who stay for a full or extended day prepare for lunch and then naptime.
In the afternoon, Toddlers often have the opportunity to interact with the Children’s House students in Bambino and Aftercare, providing opportunities for a variety of socialization and new play.
