Toddler

Our Montessori Toddler program offers a mixed-age group of young learners aged 1.5 years to 3.5 years of age.

Once a child enters our Toddler Community the curriculum begins to structure itself around interest areas with continued development of gross and fine motor skills.  Self-discipline, impulse control, and concentration are nurtured as the child moves into an increased social awareness.  Children in our Toddler Community also work to further develop their independence and practical life skills through toilet learning and self-care.  The intricate balance between the needs of the individual with those of friends provides ample opportunity for children to learn basic grace and courtesy and conflict-management skills.  The development of language and the use of it as a tool to communicate needs is a strong component of the Toddler classroom.  In addition to this, the Montessori materials in the practical life, sensorial, art, pre-math and language areas build a foundation necessary for success as the child moves into a more cognitive developmental stage.  As always, each child is supported in his/her learning with respectful care and nurturing while also being challenged according to his/her developmental abilities.

Guiding Curiosity and Growing a Community

Our curriculum has been designed so that each child has the freedom to learn as much as they can, as quickly as they can!  Each class is lead by a Montessori-trained Lead Guide who enables children to explore their environment, explaining and demonstrating findings as that child develops.  This responsive, individualized attention helps children learn at their own pace while developing a deep passion for education – a key indicator for long-term educational success. Our Toddler Communities are home to 10 to 14 toddlers and are instructed by teams of four early childhood professionals.  These teams feature a Lead Guide and two or three Assistant Educators.

Additionally, our students work to develop skills in self-care and a sense of community responsibility!  Children are given hands-on opportunities to socialize and care for their environment, including family-style meals, tending to their class gardens, and a guided understanding of cleaning up after themselves during their work cycle.  Parents do retain the option to provide a healthy (peanut-free) lunch for their child, and Midtown Montessori Academy will provide a daily balanced snack.

A Toddler Montessori Community

The Montessori Method is founded on an understanding that children explore, discover, and learn through active play.  As such, the works and tools (meaningful play items) found in our Toddler Community support development of:

  • Sensory and Perception
  • Self-Help
  • Language
  • Physical and Motor Skills
  • Social and Emotional Growth