toddler-curriculum
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Toddlers and Mathematics
Hands-on exploration of mathematics permits our youngest learners the freedom to explore, while offering individualized instruction in keeping with each child’s unique needs, academically, socially and emotionally. Toddler learning opportunities also encourage social interaction and independence.
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Toddlers and Language
The exploration of language and the sounds/symbol relationships start with the very young. The toddlers also enjoy zoo phonics, a program that ties in animals and the sounds of letters. Guided-learning opportunities in the early development of language often fosters early literacy and creative expression.
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Social Development
Lessons at the toddler level are given both individually and as a group. Circle time offers music, Spanish immersion and creative movement. Toddlers also learn from each other, as the older students help model appropriate behavior, independence and a developing sense of intrinsic motivation.
In the toddler classroom (ages 18 months to three years), children are introduced to the Montessori program through a variety of hands-on activities in a prepared environment.
Practical Life
Practical life activities encourage the child to take care of the environment with size-appropriate tools. The children care for the outside environment through gardening activities and for the inside environment through dusting, mopping, sweeping and washing dishes. The toddler is also directed to take care of himself by washing hands, hanging up clothing, managing personal items and toileting.
Cognitive Skills
The toddler is encouraged to explore books and perform various jobs that ultimately increase his ability to concentrate and work independently while creating foundations for learning.
Motor Skills
The toddler is refining both fine motor skills and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are heightened through practical life activities such as pouring, sorting, etc. Gross motor skills are heightened in physical activities like rhythm/music movement and outdoor play.
Language Skills
Language activities are developing at a rapid rate during the toddler years. Sandpaper letters help the child learn the phonetics of the alphabet. Naming cards and matching introduce foundations for alphabet and language. Stories, finger plays, singing, and spontaneous conversation time encourage both social and language skills.
Math Skills
The toddler uses hands-on materials for learning concrete math concepts. The toddler begins to understand number concepts, both quantity and symbol, and the meaning of zero. The child also begins to understand language used in performing simple single-digit addition.
Sensorial Skills
The toddler is able to discover and explore the world around her through her five senses.
Science
The toddler learns about the environment through the use of “trial and error.”
Geography
Lessons in geography introduce the concept of a globe and create a framework for whole-world to self-world learning.
Art
The toddler is able to use various materials to express creativity and to enhance fine motor skills. Language skills are further reinforced through the child’s description of the art and its personal meaning. Social skills particular to gift-giving are introduced and coordinated with traditional holidays.
Sign Language
The use of sign language in the toddler program helps the child express needs in a non-verbal manner. This can help reduce the frustration level of the child who is in the earliest stages of verbal expression.
