Toddler and Pre-toddler program

Celina Montessori Academy offers a Toddler classroom for: 

• Toddler 1- 12 months to 18 Months.  
• Toddler 2-18 months-24 months. 

A child’s conquests of successive levels of independence are the basic steps in what is called his “natural development”.  In other words, if we observe natural development with sufficient care, we see that it can be defined as the gaining of successive levels of independence.  

Children do not need to be toilet-trained. Teachers will help children develop bathroom independence when they are ready. 

We are committed to providing our toddlers with engaging, meaningful activities to:

• Provide experiences that stimulate the senses
• Enrich the child’s vocabulary and understanding of language
• Provide time for the child to repeat and master activities
• Give children the opportunity to gain a sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence 

Children are taught to listen to their bodies and are encouraged to eat and rest as needed. 

Daily Schedule 

The day will include a morning meeting, exploration of the classroom, individual lessons, open snack, time outdoors, and a family style group lunch. 

• Open Work with Snack & Outdoor Play 
• Half Day Pickup 
• Lunch 
• Prepare to Nap 
• Nap 
• Afternoon session with Montessori Work/Play  

Practical Life Lesson in environment: 

              This area focuses on the toddler’s ability to care for himself as well to help him become aware of and begin to care for the environment around him. Through repetitive and precise exercises, the toddler will learn concentration and order to gain independence. Maria Montessori developed the Practical Life exercises to give children the opportunity to practice those skills, gain independence, and become fully functional members of their community.   

Language: 

              Language activities are developed at a rapid rate during 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. Activities are designed to encourage expression, build vocabulary, strengthen word mapping skills and promote linguistic understanding.   

Art:  

             Art activities are always available and open ended and focused on the process rather than the product. 

Sensorial:

             In the Montessori Method, sensorial activities help the child explore the world through all five senses. comparing textures, grading, sorting in dimensions and height, colors etc. Sensorial activities are designed to refine each sense, which heightens a child’s learning throughout all areas of Montessori.   

Social Development: 

             Social development is encouraged through planned group activities such as circle time, snack time, food tasting, and story time.     

Most of our Toddler students are enrolled in the Full Day Program. However, Half Day spaces may be available. The Toddler Program is 5 days a week.