Toddler
Our Toddler Montessori classrooms support the rapid developmental needs of young learners. Classes are composed of mixed-age groups to allow for cognitive stimulation while also meeting each child’s social needs.
The emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and who they will one day become. Montessori Academy of Colorado recognizes this and we know that it's during this time that children form their character, values, self-image, basic skills, knowledge, and appreciation for culture & the arts.
Maria Montessori observed that children experience sensitive periods, or windows of opportunity, as they grow. As the child develops, it's important to match lessons and materials to these sensitive periods when learning is most naturally absorbed and internalized. Our students learn through sensory-motor activities, working with materials that develop their cognitive powers through direct experience: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and movement.
Our Toddler Montessori community offers space for the young child to naturally move from a physical and emotional stage of development to the more cognitive phase of learning. Through movement and exploration, the child is exposed to a broader world where parallel play becomes interactive play and where they learn to communicate needs and desires. Our teachers instill self-confidence by supporting the child’s innate curiosity while maintaining a keen balance with the developing skills required for respectful social interactions. The classrooms provide activities that teach the care of oneself and the environment, fosters gross and fine motor skills and provides structure and organization for pre-academic learning.
The most vital component of the Toddler class is the dynamic social and linguistic experiences where each child is immersed into the more ordered world of communication and learning. This is a stage of rapid development of the child. Our staff is committed to supporting and guiding the child’s need for independence and discovery of their environment in the most loving, respectful and professional manner possible.
Toddler Montessori Program Highlights
- The toddler classrooms have 10 children each ranging in age from 16 to 36 months old.
- The teacher to child ratio is 1:5 with one Montessori Certified Lead, and 2 assistants.
- In the Toddler Community one of the major areas of focus is toilet training. The teacher and parents will partner together to determine when your child is showing readiness to toilet train.
- Language development is essential at this age; therefore, our teachers do many lessons involving language and always encourage children to “use their words” to communicate their needs and feelings.
- At this age, children begin participating in 'group time.' They enjoy learning the calendar, singing songs, and reading stories as a group.
- Children will participate in the Exercises of Practical Life that will encourage them to take responsibility for caring for themselves and their classroom environment.
- Our Toddler Community Room is a Montessori influenced, play-based environment. The children use this space during the after school program, guided gross motor activities as well as on days when bad weather prohibits outdoor play.
- Toddlers have Art and Music in their classrooms where they are introduced to various mediums for experimentation and instruments for exploration.
- The children go on neighborhood walks when weather permits.
Practical Life
Food preparation is part of our work cycle. Children are invited to help a teacher chop, season and stir vegetables before they cook them to add to their lunch as a school provided vegetable side.
I am so proud of the critical skills my son learned in the Toddler Community. By 2.5 years of age, he knew how to dress himself, use the toilet independently, clean up after himself, and be respectful to those around him.
-Dan and Lauren, toddler parents
To learn more about our Toddler program and curriculum, download the program profile below.
Now accepting applications! To learn more about our admissions process click below.