Toddler Community
16+ Months
Toddler Community
16 months - 34 months
Half-Day: 8:45am-11:45am
Full-Day: 8:45am-3:45pm
Toddler: Level Overview
16 Months - 34 Months
The Toddler Community is designed to allow children to remain in a familiar setting for the full day. The classroom is an extension of the home environment, providing a range of activities to serve the child’s developmental, physical and emotional needs. Children start with a classroom work cycle, followed by outdoor play. After lunch and nap or rest time, the afternoon follows a similar structure with more opportunities for play, learning and exploration.
Purpose and Goal
Our Toddler Community encourages, assists, and protects the normal development of each child. We seek to help the child follow his or her natural path of development in order to gain independence, to be motivated by natural curiosity, and to cultivate each child’s natural desire to learn. The children are assisted in developing fine motor skills, building academic/social confidence, and enhancing their language/vocabulary. We accomplish this through an appropriate balance of developmental ages within the classroom and the expert guidance of our trained instructors.
Classroom Structure
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.” At Oak Hill, toddlers are provided an opportunity to explore and learn freely within the classroom. All furniture and materials are carefully selected to meet the developmental needs of the young child. Those materials refine eye-hand coordination, 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.
As this is the most sensitive period for acquiring language, each child’s language is enriched through conversation, songs, and stories.
Children of this age have a biological necessity to move. The young child develops movement, independence, and concentration through practical life experiences such as watering plants, carrying chairs, or washing dishes. When it comes to meal time, children share the responsibilities of meal preparation, setting the table, and for cleaning up afterwards.
Children are encouraged and assisted in developing self-care skills such as dressing, undressing and using the toilet. Through their own observations, children often develop an interest in doing these tasks independently. Our toddlers take pride in doing things on their own and they are encouraged to reach their next level of independence, whenever they are ready.
Targeted outcomes at the completion of the Toddler level:
An ability to verbally describe not only objects, but feelings
Knowledge of social etiquette and manners
Understanding that we all have a role in our community
A robust appetite for learning new facts and skills
Strong independence in the area of toileting
Oak Hill Montessori Community School is proud to be an AMI accredited school, the original organization created by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929. All lead teachers are licensed teachers who have completed their AMI Certification in addition to a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Why Montessori Matters
Montessori education is designed to support the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. Grounded in more than a century of research and real-world success, the Montessori method helps children become independent thinkers, capable collaborators, and lifelong learners.
Studies show that Montessori students often demonstrate stronger executive function skills, greater intrinsic motivation, and higher levels of academic achievement and well-being compared to peers in traditional settings.* With mixed-age classrooms and hands-on materials, Montessori environments foster curiosity, concentration, and confidence—empowering children to take ownership of their learning.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Preparing every student for tomorrow by nurturing the love of learning today.
Creating a space for students, families, and community members to thrive as they collaborate to learn, to celebrate, and to serve one another.
Our Values
Independent thinking and self-reliance through purposeful work
Inclusivity in our community and a sense of belonging for all
Compassion for others and the environment around us
A vision for peace through social change
“We appreciate the care and guidance the teachers and staff provide to help our children not only academically but also socially and emotionally.”
-Oak Hill Montessori Community School Parent