Toddler

Through grace and courtesy lessons, we emphasize respect for each child as an individual, with unique abilities and potential. Teachers foster a nurturing and supportive environment where each child feels valued, heard, and respected by educators and peers alike. We practice “please”, and “thank you”, making requests instead of demands, and apologizing when we’ve hurt a friend, among many other social graces.

Our classroom is carefully prepared to be child-centered and appropriately sized, allowing our students to explore and interact with their surroundings independently. The classroom is equipped with developmentally appropriate Montessori materials (or “jobs”), which are designed to promote hands-on learning, sensory exploration, and the development of fine and gross motor skills. Practical life jobs such as pouring, buttoning, and washing hands, help toddlers develop independence, coordination, and concentration. Students are encouraged to explore and engage with their senses through jobs that utilize varying textures, colors, shapes, and smells. These sensory experiences lay the foundation for later academic learning.

Language development is fostered through conversation, vocabulary enrichment, and exposure to books and language materials. Teachers model language use and provide opportunities for toddlers to express themselves verbally. Toddlers learn important social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and respecting others in a cooperative classroom environment. 

Through outdoor play and nature walks, our toddlers have opportunities to investigate flora and fauna, engage in gross motor activities, and develop an appreciation for the natural world. Students enjoy chasing bubbles in the breeze, observing insect life and local geese, and playing on our appropriately sized play structure. However, their favorite thing about our playground is the farm nearby, where we can watch the horses graze.