TODDLER COMMUNITY
Ages 18 Months to 3 Years
MORE ABOUT OUR TODDLER COMMUNITY
“One test of the correctness of education procedure is the happiness of the child.” — Dr. Maria Montessori
Our youngest children begin in the Toddler Community. The group is small by design: up to 10 children with 1 lead teacher and 1-2 assistant teachers. Children don’t need to be toilet trained before joining this class, and learning to use the toilet is part of the work here. Each child moves up to Primary when ready, usually between 2½ and 3.
Who is in the room?
Teachers greet each child at the door between 8:00 and 8:15. The morning starts off gently as the children put their belongings away and engage in open-ended play and socialization. Once everyone has arrived, the toddlers transition to their main classroom. Here, they enjoy an unhurried stretch of work time, choosing: arranging flowers, watering the plants, working on a puzzle, naming objects from a language basket, and more. Children help set up for snack time, gather for songs and stories, and spend ample time time outdoors. Half-day children go home at 11:15. Full-day children stay for lunch, rest, and a quiet afternoon until 3:00.
A Typical Day
Dr. Montessori called this the age of the absorbent mind, when children take in everything around them without effort. The room is built for that: low shelves, real child-sized tools, and four areas of focus. These are language, sensory exploration, socialization, and practical life.
How Toddlers Learn
How Often Do Children Attend?
Toddlers are welcome to attend a few mornings a week up to all five days, depending on the family’s needs. Full-day options are available.
