Toddlers
Montessori’s Toddler programs offer so much more than childcare. The classroom design fosters your young child’s emerging independence and desire for exploration. The environments are designed to promote your child’s growth in all areas of development. Additionally, our Toddler programs provide support and guidance for families through programs that may include parent education and parent/child group experiences.
Toddler Class (15 months – age 3)
A Montessori classroom for toddlers safely supports your child’s drive to do things alone, developing confidence and a sense of competence. The environment is language-rich, with adults using proper nomenclature rather than baby talk so that the children are exposed to and develop a broad vocabulary. Adults also support toddlers in communicating with each other. A range of books allows children to explore on their own or read aloud with an adult.
In this learning environment, children work independently, observe others, explore freely, and express their curiosity and creativity. A self-care area fosters toilet awareness and independence in maintaining personal hygiene (such as learning how to wipe one’s nose and wash hands independently). A sleeping area with individual floor beds/mats that allows toddlers to exercise autonomy in preparing for rest and allows them to get up independently once rested. There is also an area for gross motor activities to help children coordinate their movements, and low tables that enable them to help prepare, serve, eat, and clean up their snacks and meals.
Extended AM & PM
To better serve working families, VMS offers extended hours for our toddler program.
Extended AM begins at 7:30am
Extended PM runs through 4pm
The child is both a hope and a promise for humankind.
Dr. Maria Montessori
What Will Your Child Learn?
During the first 3 years of life, your child develops more rapidly than at any other time. During this phase, your child absorbs large amounts of information from the environment through observation and experiences. These are the years that lay the foundation for later learning—and the stronger the foundation, the more the child will be able to build upon it. Montessori Infant & Toddler programs offer a curriculum that emerges from each child’s unique skills and interests. Based on daily observations, teachers introduce new materials and activities that pique curiosity and stimulate learning. Learning objectives for your child at this age include developing skills such as language, concentration, problem solving, visual discrimination, and physical coordination.
The routines of everyday living are the foundation of Montessori Infant & Toddler programs. Activities promote independence, order, coordination, and concentration, as well as support social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. These learning activities include:
Self-care:
washing, dressing, toileting, and eating, according to each child’s individual capacity Care of the environment: cleaning, food preparation and food service; plant care and animal care
Large-motor activities (indoors and out):
walking, climbing, running, jumping, balancing, climbing steps, and more
Fine-motor skills:
reaching, grasping, picking up objects, transferring objects, using tools and utensils, doing art work
Language:
naming objects, describing actions and intentions, discussing pictures, conversation, music, and singing
Social skills:
developing manners through interactions with peers, teachers, and adult-led small group games
