The main areas of our Toddler Program are: 

Practical Life: Within Practical Life, our children learn how to care for themselves and the environment.  They are developing and building their coordination, concentration, sense of order, independence, eye-hand control, and fine motor skills, while creating a positive self-concept.  

Care of Self: Activities in this area focus on helping toddlers develop skills for taking care of themselves independently. This may include tasks such as: Dressing and undressing themselves (e.g., putting on and taking off shoes, jackets, and hats).

• Washing hands and face

• Brushing hair

• Using the toilet (if toilet training is underway)

Care of Environment: These activities involve tasks that help toddlers learn to care for their surroundings and develop a sense of responsibility for their environment. Examples include:

• Cleaning up spills

• Sweeping or mopping small areas

• Watering plants

• Wiping tables or other surfaces

Food Preparation and Serving: Toddlers are introduced to simple food-related activities that promote independence and practical life skills. These may include:

• Self-Severed Snack 

• Spreading, slicing, cutting and sorting/serving food 

• Pouring water from a small pitcher

• Setting the table (placing utensils, napkins, and plates in their proper places)

Grace and Courtesy: This area focuses on teaching toddlers social skills, manners, and respectful behavior towards others. Activities may include:

• Greeting others with a smile or handshake

• Saying "please" and "thank you"

• Taking turns during group activities

• Offering help or assistance to others

Language: The Toddler classroom revolves around language development.   It is essential for a child’s need to communicate to be fostered and encouraged.  The language area aids in vocabulary through daily interactions, storytelling, songs, and rhymes. Teachers and caregivers provide a language-rich environment by introducing language materials that are specifically designed to support their language development, such as picture cards, vocabulary objects, matching objects/cards, and describing activities, and engaging in conversations with the children.
 

Sensorial/Manipulative Area: This area allows our children to use their senses to learn about their world around them.  They are able to distinguish various colors, sounds, scents, shapes and textures.   The area also provides space and comfort for stacking, nesting, building, bead stringing, and hammering.  All of these activities are aiding our children in eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor development, and concentration.

Art Area: The art area allows toddlers to explore their creativity and express themselves through art and sensory experiences. Materials in this area may include crayons, markers, paint, playdough, clay, collage materials, and various art tools and supplies.

Outdoor Area: The Outdoor Classroom is an essential part of the Montessori toddler experience, providing opportunities for exploration and connection with nature. The outdoor classroom area includes a garden area for gardening activities, sand/water/sensory tables, outdoor practical life activities (raking, wheelbarrow, sweeping, etc.), outdoor art (easels, paintbrushes, sidewalk chalk, natural materials).

Playground Gross Motor Area: Toddlers have opportunities to engage in gross motor activities to develop their large muscle coordination and physical skills. This area includes climbing structures, balance beams, tunnels, slides, tricycles, balls  and other age-appropriate gross motor equipment.

Quiet Area: In addition to active areas, Montessori toddler classrooms often include a quiet area where children can engage in calm, focused activities or take a break when needed. This area includes cozy reading nooks, soft cushions, books and quiet peace activities.