Programs

Toddler

Maria Montessori

"The first essential for the child's development is concentration. The child who concentrates is immensely happy."
The toddler community at Adams Montessori School, for children ages 15 months to 2 years, 9 months, is a unique gathering place where each child is encouraged to develop their highest potential through structured communal and individual activities.

Children under six have an extraordinary mental capacity, particularly before three years of age when the personality of the child is rapidly taking shape. With a special understanding of each individual child’s “absorbent mind” we focus our teaching and engagement on exposing children to real-life experiences that they will transform into knowledge and lasting capabilities.

Our toddler team works directly with parents to share important information and observations about their child’s early development while also offering advice on how the child’s classroom experience can be integrated into their lives outside the classroom. We offer support to help parents make the toddler years productive and happy both in school and at home. 

The Environment

The toddler community is a rich educational environment, meticulously prepared to promote language development and movement. It is designed to provide children a social experience away from home. From washing hands to watering plants, children are engaged in real-life activities to encourage full-body movement and coordination. With a schedule that enhances daily and purposeful activities, the children are welcomed to an indoor environment divided into areas of work:

Practical life includes water activities, activities for taking care of the classroom, caring for self, cooking and preparing snacks, and learning grace and courtesy. Children are exposed to language materials to enhance their communication skills and enrich their vocabulary. Through self-expression activities like music and art, children become more full aware of colors, various materials, rhythm and melody. As children become self-aware of their capabilities, they are also introduced to an array of development-aid materials to perfect eye-hand coordination and to encourage the use of the hand and the fingers while also learning different kinds of hand grasps.

The outdoor environment is adjacent to the indoor space. It provides a safe space for children to observe and interact with nature and the seasonal changes of New England. It has a garden, a table for dining (weather permitting) and other elements that promote more highly developed gross motor activities.

A Montessori concept we call grace and courtesy is presented to toddlers as a path to greater child dignity, helping them feel clean, gaining respect for others and themselves; promoting social relations, and learning and understanding the social expectations we have in our classrooms and in society. Children learn to greet others, and interact with one another.

Toilet Awareness

In the toddler community, our emphasis on independence extends to toileting needs. The toddlers are provided with the opportunity to learn how to become aware of their toileting needs and then are taught how to meet those needs. Following the guidelines and procedures of Adams Montessori School, no child will be judged or shamed during toilet learning. 

Our Aspirations for Your Child

  • To create a partnership between parents, caregivers and teachers that will provide a stimulating emotional and intellectual environment for the development of each child’s unique potential.
  • To provide toddlers with an active and experiential community.
  • To provide a healthy and secure transition for toddlers into childhood.
  • To foster the life skills of concentration, independence, adaptation and collaboration in toddlers.
  • To promote a confident self-image and positive attitude toward learning.
  • To create self-awareness in toddlers as they regulate eating, sleeping and toileting patterns.
  • To guide their development using the Montessori principles.
  • To give each child the confidence and skills to express their unique talents and creativity.

The Schedule

 
  8:00        Arrival
  8:20        Work cycle, communal snack and preparation for outdoor play
10:20        Outdoor play
10:50        Preparation for lunch and half day dismissal
11:00        Half day dismissal
11:15        Lunch and preparation for nap time
12:00        Nap time
  2:15        Afternoon snack and preparation for full day dismissal
  2:45        Full day dismissal


There is no aftercare or enrichment classes for children in the toddler program.

Books and Resources We Recommend

From Birth to Adolescence, Maria Montessori
Understanding the Human Being, Silvana Montanaro
Montessori From the Start, Paula Polk Lillard
A Thousand Days of Wonder, Charles Fernyhough
The Scientist in the Crib, Allison Gopnik
Michealolaf.com
Aidtolife.com
Zerotothree.org
Voilamontessori.com