Toddler Program
A specialized program for students 18-36 months old.
Some refer to this developmental period as “The Terrible Twos.” We disagree; toddlers are terrific. We love everything about them – their energy, determination and curiosity – and purposefully created a very special place for your toddler to learn.
A Day in the Life of the Toddler Community
An Environment Conducive to Learning
Where so many early childhood programs are chaotic and overwhelming, parents are often surprised to see the peaceful tone of our toddler classroom. The calm atmosphere and lack of distraction helps her to develop impulse control and concentration, planting the seeds for learning in this classroom and beyond.
A Community
Our students grow together into a close-knit, caring community. When children work, learn and grow together, they learn much more than any of them could learn alone!
“Help Me To Do It Myself”
Your child has a natural drive to be independent which we encourage by creating an environment where everything is just the right size for her to do things on her own. Child sized tools that fit her tiny hands allow her to prepare a snack and serve it to friends. A miniature broom empowers her to clean up on her own. She is taught the skills of self-care and toilet training. Your child learns a set of concrete life skills and self-confidence – but, more importantly, develops the belief that she can choose to make a genuine impact on her world.
A Beautiful Environment
Our bright and sunny toddler classrooms are specially designed for your child between the ages of 18 and 36 months. It is a world scaled down to your child’s size. Here, your child paints, cooks, waters the garden, sings songs with friends and plays with materials that develop fine and gross motor coordination.
Absorbing Language
We surround your child with rich and stimulating conversation to support this once-in-a-lifetime period of rapid language development. Your child, trying to blow bubbles, might be encouraged with “Blow! Can you make the air move just like the wind?” Your child’s mind effortlessly absorbs the new vocabulary, which plants the seeds for reading, writing and self-expression in the future.
A Joyful Experience
Maria Montessori once said, “One test of the correctness of the educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” Take a peek into our Toddler classroom and you will see children who are happy, engaged and deeply connected to their friends and teachers. As a result, your child develops a deep affinity for school and a true love-for-learning.
Ready To Move Up
Sometime between the ages of 2 1/2 to 3 years of age, your child’s language skills and self-expression will develop rapidly; he will express a growing confidence in independence and a keen interest in broader concepts; he will want to know what lies ahead, outside of the Toddler Classroom. At this point, he is ready to move up to the Primary program, for children from the ages of 3 to 6.
Parent Reviews
Throughout our two years at Cross of Life Montessori we have been blown away by the playful, nurturing, individualized care and education that our toddler has received. The teachers at COLM are proactive and enthusiastic about observing each child and supporting them in achieving mastery in all areas of their development. My son has grown immensely in skills and knowledge, but even more, he has become highly confident in his ability to care for himself and his environment. Additionally, the staff at COLM have gone above and beyond in also providing regular parent education opportunities to teach us Montessori approaches and principles we can integrate at home. We love the peaceful atmosphere, the lovely materials, and the welcoming and exciting outdoor space at COLM- everything has been exactly what our toddler needs to thrive. My son wakes up excited to go to school every day and loves to tell us stories about his adventures in the Toddler Community.
- Liz H.