Toddler Program
Ages 18 Months - 36 Months
Dr. Montessori identified three essential traits about toddlers that would shape her educational curriculum for this age:
- A sensitivity to order
- A significantly increased capacity to absorb language
- An eagerness to become independent
Mission Montessori’s toddler program is designed with these traits in mind. Our teachers introduce good habits, encourage the use of words to express needs, and warmly guide children to do things for themselves throughout the course of the day.
A Montessori toddler program, compared to traditional childcare, has many benefits. Here are just a few examples that parents often share:
A positive, accelerated potty training experience. Children as young as 18 months are often ready to learn how to use the toilet, what we in Montessori call “toilet learning.” All children in our toddler program learn to be diaper free.
The ability to play independently and become increasingly self-sufficient. You will often hear your toddler say at home, “I can do it myself!”
A dramatic surge in vocabulary. By being able to better express their needs, toddlers gain increased control of their emotions, leading to fewer tantrums and a more joyful relationship between parent and child.
How We Do It
- A 1:6 or 1:7 teacher-to-child ratio
- Dedicated educators who have received high-quality Montessori training
- Quality Montessori learning materials
- Beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities
Teaching Your Toddler
Our toddler classrooms are designed with your child’s developmental needs in mind. The toddler environment is orderly, calm, and nurturing. The classrooms feature toddler-sized furnishings, ample space for exploration, and developmentally appropriate Montessori materials that provide positive stimuli for your child.
Language Learning
We take full advantage of our toddler’s language aptitude through:
- Object classification
- Reading stories
- Teaching poems and songs
- Engaging in conversations
- Phonetic awareness games
Encouraging Independence
Our Montessori teachers work with toddlers to facilitate early independence by helping them to learn how to do many tasks themselves. They practice “practical life” exercises such as watering plants, putting away materials, cleaning up after a snack, or putting on a jacket by breaking down the task into manageable steps that can be repeated until mastery.
These exercises help toddlers develop the fine motor skills needed for independence, including manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. Teachers also lead toddlers in movement activities like jumping, skipping, and climbing that foster large muscle development and gross motor skills.
Social Development
Through modeling and gentle guidance, our teachers lay the foundation for strong social skills built on good manners and respect for others. By learning how to help themselves, to identify their own and others’ feelings, and to express themselves through language, toddlers become capable problem-solvers and empathetic members of society.
Our Teachers
At Mission Montessori, our toddler program is led by highly trained educators. All of our lead teachers go through intensive Montessori training where they learn how to implement the Montessori curriculum and philosophy. They understand how much toddlers, given the right environment and instruction, are truly capable of.