Purpose and Goal

The purpose of the Toddler Community is to encourage, assist, and protect the normal development of each child. A safe, beautiful and ordered environment is prepared to respect, support and respond to the young child's basic needs for We seek to help the child follow his or her natural path of development, to gain independence, to be motivated from within by a natural curiosity, to interact with the environment as an active explorer, and to cultivate the child's own natural desire to learn.

Our goal is to meet the individual needs of each child. We accomplish this through a carefully prepared environment, an appropriate balance of developmental ages within the community and the expert guidance of an Assistants to Infancy trained adult and one assistant.

Environment

During the early years of life, Dr. Montessori believed that "the first thing the child's education demands is the provision of an environment in which he or she can develop the powers given by nature." A safe, beautiful and ordered environment is prepared to respect, support and respond to the young child's basic needs for independence, exploration, and the building of trust and self-esteem. All furniture and materials are carefully selected to meet the developmental needs of the young child.

Movement

Young children experience a biological necessity to move. The young child develops movement, independence, concentration and task orientation through practical life experiences such as watering plants, carrying chairs, preparing snack and washing dishes.

Children are encouraged and assisted to develop skills in caring for themselves, such as dressing and undressing. Through their own observations, children often develop an interest in using the toilet independently. Simple, easily manipulated clothing assist the child in developing his/her independence.

Activities and Materials

The Toddler Community environment is divided into many different areas that provide interesting, purposeful activities. The young child absorbs the world around him/her through the five senses, and a rich environment caters to the child's senses. The beautiful materials attract the child's interest and fulfill the child's natural urge to explore the world. Gradually, the child lengthens his/her 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 as the young child is in the most sensitive period for acquiring language. The child's language is enriched through conversation, songs, poems and stories as well as beautiful materials that help promote language development.

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.