“… the child’s individual liberty must be so guided that through his activity he may arrive at independence …”
~Dr. Maria Montessori, The Montessori Method
Our Montessori Toddler Community classrooms serve up to 12 children between the ages of 18-36 months
and are led by a Montessori-trained guide and an assistant.
Beginning Fall 2024, this 4 hour morning program will be offered at Moore Montessori in Southern Pines.
8-8:15 drop-off; 11:45-12 pick-up
In our Montessori Toddler Communities, the classroom environment is designed to encourage independence. Practical Life exercises are abundant and teach skills including self-care, care of the environment and care of others.
Toddlers are in a period of development of both large and small muscles, so both fine and gross motor opportunities are available both indoors and outdoors. Toddlers have access to an indoor gross motor area filled with equipment for climbing, tumbling, jumping, throwing, balancing and much more.
Toddlers also spend a lot of time outdoors either working in our garden (planting seeds, weeding, digging, watering), mud kitchen or playground areas which are all set up to meet the needs of our littlest students.
This environment sets each student up for social, emotional, physical and academic success. Toddler guides follow the children’s lead, allow them to make choices throughout their morning and offer opportunities that support their independence. Some of the things our toddlers learn to do on their own at school are:
*Prepare and serve their own snacks each day
*Drink from a glass
*Pour their own drinks
*Wash their dishes
*Clean the tables, the windows, the shelves
*Sweep or mop up a spill
*Water the plants
*Choose a material to work with, complete/ explore the work on a floor mat or table and return the work to the shelf
*Feed and care for the school pets (fish and rabbits)
*Participate in diaper changes/ Use the toilet independently
*Gardening skills; planting seeds, watering, weeding and harvesting
*Making bread from scratch
What is a Montessori Toddler Community? from NAMTA on Vimeo.
Some unique components of our Toddler program include:
*Daily Music and Movement activities, Instrument Exploration
*Nature Connection & Gardening
*Open-Ended, Process-Based Art Opportunities
*Positive Discipline