ToddlerMainImage
ToddlerCircle1 ToddlerCircle2

CAPE FARM MONTESSORI
TODDLER PROGRAM FOR 16/18 MONTHS – 3 YEARS

"The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed". ~ Maria Montessori

THE MONTESSORI TODDLER ENVIRONMENT

Maria Montessori named the period from birth to the age of 6, "The absorbent mind", drawing attention to the young child’s ability to learn large amounts of information at rapid rates. During this period, children are very similar to little scientists. They learn through experimenting with and manipulating the objects in their environment.

Cape Farm Montessori’s classrooms are thoughtfully designed with the Montessori principles of beauty, simplicity, and movement in mind. The furniture and shelves are designed to promote each child’s independence, and the classroom materials change throughout the year as the children’s interests, strengths, and areas for growth change as well. In this way, our classroom is not a static space, but rather a dynamic environment that meets the needs of each individual child within it. The classroom is broken up into 5 major curricular areas: sensory, cognitive, language, social, and cultural studies. As is the Cape Farm way, art and sensory play are integrated into all of these major learning areas.

Following the Montessori spiral of learning, absorbing new information is never limited. Instead, children are encouraged to explore, and to learn through interacting with their teachers, peers, and the environment.

TODDLER PROGRAM (16/18 months to 3 years)
  • Our toddler classroom will have a maximum of 15 children whose ages will range from 16/18 months to 3 years.
  • The Toddler class will have 1 lead teacher and 1 assistant.
  • Enrollment is for five days a week from 8:00 to 12:30. Attendance is discretionary in this age group, however this will not affect school fees.
  • The toddler children will have a separate, secure play area but will also enjoy full access to the preschool outdoor environments, including the outdoor classroom, playground, vegetable garden and animal enclosure.
  • The classroom teachers will partner with parents in helping to guide each child towards toilet independence when he or she is developmentally ready.

Curriculum overview
Instilling accomplishment, pride and independence is the goal of our Toddler program. Designed for children 18 months to 3 years old, our teachers lovingly guide our youngest students in a safe and nurturing environment that supports the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of the young child.

The Toddler program prepares toddlers for preschool work by exposing them to each area of the Montessori curriculum. The toddlers learn concentration, coordination, language skills, responsibility and respect – all of which prepare them well for a successful transition into our Preschool Program.

Transition from the Toddler Program
Children transition from the Toddler Program to the Preschool Program when they are developmentally ready. Children generally move between the ages of 2.5 and 3 and may transition at any point in the academic year.