Our Toddler program assists children from 2 to 3 years old.
The first years of a child’s life are crucial to his or her personality and intellectual development. Young children need not only love, emotional nurturance, and a healthy physical environment, but also an environment that promotes their very real need to learn. The Montessori approach provides a basis for individualized learning activities, appropriate for even the earliest stages of a child’s development.
In our Montessori Toddler classroom, we have created a carefully prepared environment that encourages independence, self-discovery, and an interest in learning. Practical life skills, sensorial activities, language enrichment, music, dance, and art form the core of our program.
Our Toddler Program contains all the components necessary to give your child an enriching start to their school experience. This program guides the child to develop independence, completion of task, hands-on exploration and offers a great deal of social interaction. When the child is ready, academically and socially, they will enter the Pre-school Program for ages 3 - 6.
Description of the Learning Areas
PRACTICAL LIFE
These exercises are the foundation of the Montessori environment. This area provides a range of activities which allow the child to develop control and coordination, awareness of their environment, independent work habits and responsibility through purposeful work. These exercises include topics such as: care of the environment, of self, movement, grace and courtesy. The child will perform tasks such as tying shoelaces, zipping, buckling, polishing, folding and pouring and using such materials as the “Dressing Frame”.
SENSORIAL AREA
The Sensorial Materials lay a solid foundation for Mathematics, Geometry, Geography, Botany, Art and Music. The children will sort objects, such as the “Blue Cylinders”, by size, touch, color, weight, sound and temperature and grade from dark to light and small to large. These objects allow the child to classify sensorial impressions in an orderly and scientific manner. Since these materials allow for individual work and repetition, it makes it possible for the child to abstract the concept made concrete in each piece of material, to name it and then to apply it to the environment.
The Library Corner
The aim for the library corner is to encourage a love for reading in a quiet atmosphere.
THE Art Area
This area provides a variety of mediums for the children to create and explore different techniques of expression.
THE Snack Area
Children learn self-help skills and coordination while enjoying a snack with a small group of friends. They serve themselves and clean up their area.
Quiet Time
Every day after lunch time the children are taken for a nap or quiet time of about 2 hours.
Typical SCHEDULE
07:30 - 8:30: Arrival / Greeting / Outdoor Play
08:30 - 09:00: Morning Circle
09:00 - 10:00: Work Cycle
10:00 - 10:30: Washroom Routine / Snack
10:30 - 11:00: Storytime / Group Activity
11:00 - 11:45: Outdoor play
11:45 - 12:30: Lunch and Clean up
12:30 - 12:45: Washroom routine
13:00 - 14:30/15:00: Naptime (Quiet Time for children that are awake)
15:00 - 15:15: Wake up / Washroom routine / Get ready to go home
15:15 - 15:45: Home Time
*this is a tentative schedule and may be subject to change.
When there is sufficient parent interest, afterschool care until 4:45 can be added for a small fee.