From 18 months to 36 months

"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.  At no other age has the child greater need of an intelligent help."

 Dr. Maria Montessori    

Recent psychological studies based on controlled research have confirmed these theories.  The Montessori method addresses this need within the toddler community, with a well proven program that is designed to guide and encourage the child's natural curiosity.

The Toddler Program in a prepared environment which provides for the physical, psychological and developmental needs of the child under three.  The materials used provide the child the opportunity to learn through movement and exploration.

Allison (age 2) helps to prepare snack by slicing bananas

At Westside Montessori emphasis is placed on gross and fine motor skills, sensorial, language and social development.  Toilet training is part of the Program.  The environment is arranged specially for and corresponds to, the growing development needs of the child.

More than just a classroom, Westside Montessori offers a caring, nurturing social community in which the child learns to participate in a cooperative group and is guided along the path of independence and thereby freedom.

The children eat together, family-style.  They are proud to help one another and take it in turns to prepare, serve, wash dishes and clean up.

About the age of 36 months the child exhibits signs of readiness for the next 3 year cycle of Montessori learning.  When the child is ready to progress, the Toddler Directress will confer with the parents.

Toddler Program and Philosophy

Maria Montessori believed that education begins at birth and that the first few years of life are the most formative and important.  She believed that the child absorbs learning from the physical environment.

            The toddler community is a prepared environment, which provides for the physical, psychological and developmental needs of a child less than three years of age. The environment created allows for freedom of movement and the growth of independence.  The child is free to act and to develop according to his/her own inner direction guided by the nurturing hands of a loving teacher.           

The materials used give the child an opportunity to learn through movement.  Emphasis is placed on motor, sensorial, language and social development.  The environment is arranged specifically for, and corresponds to the growing developmental needs of the child.  Everything in the environment either teaches a skill or develops concentration.

            "The first educational influence upon a child should have as its' object the guidance of the child along the way of independence.  No one can be free if he is not independent; therefore, in order to attain this independence, the active manifestations of personal liberty must be guided from earliest infancy." (Maria Montessori)  For child 18 months to 3 years, great work lies in his/her ability to develop impulse and self-control.

 The toddler classes are guided by nurturing, knowledgeable teachers who exhibit the skills and abilities to guide toddlers between the ages of 18-36 months. Teachers in the toddler classroom either hold a Montessori teacher’s diploma or have an early childhood background with teaching experience.

 Toddler Transition Policy

               Sometime during your toddler’s growing years they will move into a new stage of development.  This new stage will require a different environment to meet their emotional and developmental needs. That new environment is called the Primary level. The moving up process can occur between the ages of 2.6 to 3.2. When your child is new and young to our program we recommend parents to observe in a toddler room different from the one their child attends, so that they can become acquainted with the toddler pedagogy.

We also highly recommend that parents observe in a primary class in order to better understand and become familiar with their child’s next stage of development. When the time comes for your toddler to transition, the toddler teacher will alert you to the new and exciting changes that are taking place in your child. The toddler teacher and primary teachers will keep you informed as to how your child is doing during the transitioning process.  It usually takes about 2 weeks to complete the transitioning.  Upon completion the parents and teachers will meet with you to have a farewell and welcoming meeting. At the meeting the child’s emerging needs and requirements for the new primary level will be discussed.  Parents will be informed about uniforms, change in tuitions and the classroom schedule. This will be an exciting time for everyone.

 Toddler Class Placement

 When your toddler moves into the primary level, their placement is based on several factors.  These factors include: the needs of the classrooms (as stated in the school's application), availability for 3 year olds, gender, the child's temperament and personalities.  All factors are considered in determining a good match for the primary class and your child. In the past, parents have requested a particular teacher for their child's new primary class.  Placement is determined according to the needs of each classroom. Therefore, we are unable to accommodate parents’ requests for a specific teacher. 

 Our goal is to continue your child's Montessori education at WMS. Parents are choosing a method of education for their child that can successfully be carried out in any of our 4 primary classrooms and on into our elementary program. All of our teachers work hard and present the same curriculum to their students. We want our parents to choose WMS for its educational reputation instead of shopping for a particular teacher. We hope that parents understand that requesting certain teachers creates unnecessary competition and favoritism among the teachers.  Sometimes this information is based on other parent's comments outside the school environment. Please rest assured and trust that your child's toddler teacher, primary teachers and administration are working in the best interest of your child when placing them in a primary class.

 If the need arises, the staff and administration are available to discuss the school’s policies regarding toddler transition.