Toddler Program and Philosophy

​

Maria Montessori believed that education begins at birth and that the first few years of life are the most formative and important. She believed that the child absorbs learning from the physical environment.

“The first educational influence upon a child, should have as its’ object, the guidance of the child along the way of independence. No one can be free if he is not independent; therefore, in order to attain this independence, the active manifestations of personal liberty must be guided from earliest infancy.” Maria Montessori

 

The Toddler community is a prepared environment which provides for the physical and psychological developmental needs of the child less than three years of age. The environment created allows for freedom of movement and the growth of independence. The child is free to act and to develop according to his/her own inner direction guided by the hands of a loving teacher.

The materials provide the child with the opportunity to learn through movement. The Montessori Toddler curriculum includes work in the following areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, and Fine Motor/Adaptive activities that develop eye-hand coordination. Work in all four areas act as a precursor to the more intricate lessons in pre-primary.

 

The toddler environment is arranged specifically for, and corresponds to the growing developmental needs of the child. Everything in the environment either teaches a skill or develops concentration.