Toddler Program
Ages 18 Months – 30 Months
Our Full-Time Toddler Program offers a nurturing and supportive learning environment designed to help young children smoothly transition from home or daycare settings into a school atmosphere. The Toddler Program emphasizes experiences that support executive functionality during this pivotal time of brain development. While focusing on self care and exploration of the world around them, students begin to develop both independence and personal inhibition, leading to joyful confidence.
Montessori In Miniature
One key tenet of Montessori philosophy is the opportunity to observe and learn from others. Montessori found this is critical for the youngest of learners who are not yet verbal or mobile. Montessori advocated for 3-year age groups, so that learners could see the development of others and have the opportunity to practice newly acquired skills in service to peers. Montessori's first three-year grouping is comprised of children 6 weeks to 47 months. While safety regulations require strict student-teacher ratios to which we gladly comply, Bridges Montessori infuses each of our Early Years environments with opportunity for children to attach, observe and take positive action.
Our Toddler classrooms are based on the traditional Montessori classrooms in our school, modified appropriately for the developmental and safety needs of the younger child. The children enrolled in this program move through the same daily routines as the 3 to 6 year-old students enrolled in our Traditional Montessori program. The smaller space and higher student-to-teacher ratio, along with the Montessori-based learning materials, is ideal for this age-group.
Guided Exploration
Our classrooms offer students learning opportunities in self-care, social interaction, care of the environment, art, sensory exploration, language, math, science and geography. The materials within the classrooms are selected by the teachers, who change them in response to individual student interest and need, seasonal changes and school outreach focus.
Unique to the Montessori style of education, students are able to progress at a learning pace appropriate to their own individual needs, while still reaping the benefits gained by participating fully in a functional, healthy social group. As the child grows, they accept increasing levels of personal responsibility for themselves, others and as a member of the school community. This directly translates to a sense of independence, confidence in being able to learn and pride in one's role within a group.
Children participating in our Toddler Program have enrollment priority and move easily into our school's Transitional or Preschool/K Programs.
Your Options
Our Toddler program is available for five full extended days per week.
Before care options are also available to help meet a variety of family scheduling needs.