St. Andrews Montessori School TODDLER CURRICULUM At St. Andrews, the Toddler Program is the first step in a lifelong love of learning. Our classroom serves children 18 months to three years. At this age a child is naturally curious and eager to learn. Our highly experienced and trained faculty and staff are ready to guide your child on a journey of discovery using a full complement of specially designed learning material in a warm, home-like, safe, and beautiful environment. Classroom activities foster coordination, control of movement, concentration, and independence. The young child is naturally drawn to the activities of everyday life. As children happily repeat these activities, refining their coordination and experiencing success, they become more independent in their ability and desire to care for themselves and their environment. Toddlers independently set the table for snack, mix muffin batter, wash dishes, wipe up their spills, and sponge off tables. Children choose fine motor activities, acquire toileting independence, paint, and enjoy music together. Language development is also a high priority in the Toddler class. Maximum class size is 18 children with one Teacher and two Assistants. THE ENVIRONMENT All furniture in the Toddler class is specifically designed for promoting the young child’s “I can do it.” attitude. The child’s sense of order is developed in a carefully prepared learning environment where everything has a place. The children care for their environment, fostering a sense of accomplishment. They cultivate a sense of sequencing and completing tasks as they develop the ability to put one activity away before beginning another. SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Often the Toddler community is the first experience children have with other children of their own age and ability. Learning how to interact in respectful ways is fundamental to the Toddler community and the child’s future experiences in the larger world. Grace and courtesy are modeled by the Teacher and Assistants. “Please,” “Thank You,” and “No, Thank You” are practiced often in teachable moments. Redirection is used to encourage positive behavior in the environment. Through consistent school experiences, children engage successfully with each other, the adults and the materials in the environment. Helping each other, offering a snack, pouring a drink for a friend, and taking others into consideration are all part of building a relationship with each other and with adults. LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT During the Toddler years, a child experiences a critical period of developing language. Therefore, language development is a high priority in the Toddler class. It is during the toddler years when children speak their first words, phrases, and sentences. Some children may begin the program with no spoken language while others may already know many words. The Teacher purposefully supports learning new vocabulary and correct pronunciation by singing, asking questions, reading, conversing, and use of sign language.

St. Andrews Montessori School

501 Bass Road

Macon, GA 31210

478.474.4465

kcmangham@gmail.com

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