Toddler Program (18 months to 3 years)
The Montessori toddler classroom is designed to encourage independence, the child's inner sense of order, socialization, language development as well as development of the mathematical and scientific mind.
Independence
Through the practical life area in the classroom, the children are presented materials and activities that will develop skills to enable them to do everyday tasks by themselves.
Sense of Order
Toddlers have a very strong sense of order. Each material has its own place and is always returned there. Additionally, the class is always run on the same schedule every day.
Socialization
Most toddlers have not been with children their own age. In our classroom we encourage communication by giving the children the correct words to communicate their feelings and needs.
Language Development
The toddler is very sensitive to language. There is an area in the classroom devoted to learning new words and letter sounds. At circle time, songs and finger plays are sung to enrich the child's vocabulary.
Development of the Mathematical and Scientific Mind
Children learn through everyday sensorial experiences, introduction to numbers and counting work, and materials in the science area.
Daily Schedule
7:30-8:30
As the children arrive, they are greeted at the door. They hang up their coats and outer garments, exchanging their outdoor with their indoor shoes. Some children will arrive quietly and wish to begin their day slowly. Others, our “morning” people, might greet the day with robust energy and waste no time greeting a friend. Children are invited to have a relaxed breakfast, help set up the classroom or choose a work from the shelf
8:30-9:00
School officially begins. The children are greeted by the head teachers.
9:00-10:15
Children explore the prepared environment, receiving lessons and working independently. The children choose their work from the different area of the classroom. Individual work time is the most important time we spend together as group because it is during this time that the children are making individual work choices, working at their own pace, according to their unique interest and abilities.
10:15-10:30
At the signal, a bell is rung and the children gather for circle. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other, share some laughs, have some fun, and at the same time learn grace and courtesy. The date and weather are charted and a new work or presentation is shown.
10:30
The children have a light nutritious group snack.
10:45-11:30
Coats, boots, scarves, gloves and hats are retrieved from the hallway and children ready themselves for outside playground time.
11:30-12:30
Most of the children attending Unitarian Montessori School attend on a full day schedule. Morning half day toddlers are dismissed at 11:30am. The children wash their hands, get their lunch boxes and sit for a relaxing social lunch.
12:30-2:00
After lunch, the children clean up their area and help load the dishwasher. Then, they get ready for their nap.
2:00-2:45
As the children wake up, they explore the prepared environment, receiving lessons and working independently. A light snack is served.
2:45
Second circle is called. This is usually the favorite time for most children as songs are sung and books are read. The children then have playground time, weather permitting.
3:30
The school day ends and children are dismissed.