Toddler – Many Rivers Montessori

Toddler Community  Ages 16 – 35 months

IMAGINE your two-year-old toddler saying a heartfelt “thank you” for your help; setting a table for lunch; rushing to help wipe up a friend’s water spill; sweeping the floor at the end of the day; and modeling for his younger friends how to use the toilet successfully. Imagine your spirited toddler able to concentrate on a task, able to wait patiently for her turn with the puzzle, and walking around her friend’s work rather than trampling all over it. Imagine a community of toddlers who truly enjoy each other’s company and care about their friends’ daily ups and downs. These are common scenes to be found in a Montessori Toddler Community, and Many Rivers Montessori is proud to provide the only such community for 16-month-olds through 3-year-olds in the Twin Ports.

The Many Rivers Montessori program for toddlers is a nurturing and developmentally-responsive alternative to traditional childcare. The goal of Many Rivers Montessori’s Toddler Community is to provide a home-like, loving environment where children’s abilities and needs are respected and met. “Help me to help myself” is the mantra of the growing toddler.

The Toddler Program

Young children have their own “sensitive periods” for learning. Maria Montessori recognized the need, during these periods, for a rich, well-prepared environment that provides a child with what she needs to gain independence, functional skills, knowledge, and to construct her self. In a Montessori Toddler classroom, children may work on pushing a cart or stringing beads, refining gross and fine motor development.

In the area of practical life, they may work on preparing and serving a snack, or scrubbing a table. On any given day, children may be using language materials to learn to name different parts of the body, or identify a variety of insect life. Montessori toddlers also learn the rules of grace and courtesy, to treat each other with compassion, and to resolve conflicts peacefully. Growing daily in security, confidence and independence, Montessori toddlers experience a smoother transition into the Primary classroom when they are ready.

Typical Toddler Day

7:30–8:30 Morning Care
8:15 Arrival 
8:30 Work Cycle
 10:30 Outdoor Play 
11:30 Lunch 
12:00 Nap (Please click on link for MRM’s Nap and Rest Policy)
 3:30 Pickup 
3:30–5:30 Afternoon Care

Note: New Toddler students follow an alternative schedule for the first week of school.

Toddler Activities

The Toddler environment is divided into different areas that provide interesting, purposeful activities. The beautiful materials attract the child’s interest and fulfill the child’s natural urge to explore the world. Gradually, the child lengthens his span of concentration. The materials also assist the child to refine eye-hand coordination. Children are encouraged to experiment with paint, clay, glue and crayons.

Language activities are also very important . The child’s language is enriched through conversation, songs, poems and stories as well as beautiful materials and presentations that help enhance vocabulary and allow for both receptive and expressive language development. Toddlers at Many Rivers Montessori are also offered a group Spanish lesson twice a week.

Each day some of the children assist in the preparation of a nutritious snack while others help in the setting of a beautiful table. The children and adults gather together each day for a “family style” meal. The children also assist in cleaning up and taking care of the environment.

Toddler Environment

The Toddler classroom is a multi-aged environment, with older toddlers serving as role models and mentors for the younger ones. The room is thoughtfully designed to facilitate a toddler’s functional independence and to give him the freedom to move, and is set up with all the materials according to the standards of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).

Depending on the age of enrollment and development of the child, toddlers stay in the program for one or two years. Many Rivers Montessori supports parents through a Montessori-based toilet-learning process. When toddlers are independently toileting, able to complete a full cycle of work, communicating well, and are socially ready, they generally transition into the Primary classroom around age 3.

Toilet Learning

Many Rivers Montessori’s Toddler program serves children aged 16 to 35 months. The program meets five days a week between 8:30 and 3:30. Morning Care (7:30–8:30) and Afternoon Care (3:30–5:30) are available. Child Care is also available during most holidays and breaks. For tuition costs and packages, please see our tuition schedule.

Before and After Care

What Else to Expect

A safe, child-sized environment that encourages independence. For example, children drink from open glasses, pour from a pitcher, and learn to use silverware. Children take off and put on their own shoes and clothing, learn to use the toilet, put away their work, and help clean up after a meal.
The teachers may seem less of an overt presence. AMI Toddler guides are trained to observe, respond and do their best to meet each child’s needs. The Toddler Community is the child’s environment, and our teachers are here to support their growth. Respecting the child’s desire for independence, we aim to provide “just the necessary help.”
A quiet environment that allows a child to focus. Teachers use soft voices and respect the child’s concentration, and children learn to respect each other’s concentration.
Respect for the child. We respect the child by telling her what we are going to do before doing it, for example, when changing a child’s wet pants; by allowing the child to choose his activities (“works”) in the classroom; and by honoring their strong feelings with compassion and guidance.
Consistent modeling of Grace and Courtesy. Our teachers speak politely to the children and each other throughout the day, inviting children into this way of living as a community.

Nondiscrimination Statement as to Students

Many Rivers Montessori values diversity in every aspect of the school community. It is the policy of MRM not to discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability in the administration of its admissions policies, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs and other school-related programs.

Toddler Community Ages 16 – 35 months