Toddler

Children thrive in an environment especially prepared for them. So our toddler classroom is designed for one-on-one lessons and to foster independence at an early age. We emphasize love of learning, development of imagination, freedom with responsibility, vocabulary enrichment, and an introduction to quantities.

Toddler Curriculum

AT GRACE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

15 – 36 months

Children at the toddler level fall in the first plane of development. This is the stage of the Absorbent Mind, which means they are soaking in all of the information around them. At this stage a child begins to master balance, coordination and reasoning skills. They need order and routine, so a prepared environment allows them to explore freely and meets their needs for order and routine.

We focus on social awareness, grace and courtesy, self-calming, and acknowledgment of the child’s accomplishments. The children are free to work throughout the morning work cycle, with opportunities for activity as a group during circle time and individual lessons. The snack area offers numerous practical life opportunities such as spooning, pouring, dishwashing and manners. Diapering and toileting procedures are also opportunities for independence and self-help. Positive guidance, modeling and redirection are used to encourage and learn appropriate behavior.

At the toddler level children focus on these areas:

Practical Life
Language
Sensorial Area
Art and Music
Food Preparation
Outdoor Playtime

Care of Self: Washing hands, dressing, toilet independence, preparing food.

Care of Others: Grace and courtesy lessons, teaching and learning from others, socialization skills.

Care of Environment: Washing, dusting, polishing, and sweeping.

Montessori Language activities build on children’s natural capacity to listen and absorb everything they hear. Language materials are matched with real objects to reinforce physical and spatial concepts as well as vocabulary development. Language is also developed through self-expression.

These skills are developed with activities such as sorting or matching materials and working with puzzles. Most materials are self-correcting to give the child their own control of error. These develop eye-hand coordination, body equilibrium, and cause and effect relationships.

Singing, rhythm activities, and playing instruments are all daily activities in the Toddler Community. Art is explored in the form of drawing, painting, cutting, gluing, and collage work.

Eating is an important social event for the children. Full-day toddlers eat with their teacher. They participate in setting the table, eating and cleaning up after eating. The children also participate in food preparation activities in the practical life area.

Our toddlers spend part of each day outside whenever possible. They play on the playground under the guidance of the teachers and explore nature.

Parent Testimonials

Hear what our parents and caregivers have to say about Grace Montessori School.

"Our experience has been nothing short of exceptional. The staff’s communication and compassion and the Montessori learning model have all contributed to the tremendous positive growth and development of our son and his peers during our time at Grace Montessori. We would absolutely recommend families give their child the opportunity to learn from these teachers, and other children at Grace Montessori."

"My daughter attended GMS for two years in the Primary program and she absolutely enjoyed it. Her teachers, Ms. Kelly and Mrs. Attia, are wonderful, not only for what they teach the students but also because they truly like their students and appreciate who they are.”

"Sending my daughters to Grace Montessori School has proven to be the best choice for their education. Both of my daughters have excelled and we are so grateful to the exceptional primary educators who not only taught them academic subjects but also daily life skills.”

"Grace Montessori provides a nurturing, educational and caring environment that allows the child to blossom. There is also a focus on kindness, inclusivity, and goodness which makes it the best educational institution in the Lehigh Valley."

“Thanks for the many years we've had with the school. You and the staff provided such a great foundation in learning for Nora and Annie. They not only have the smarts to succeed academically, but the foundation to be good people thanks to their experience at Grace.”