Supporting Growing Self-Awareness in a Nurturing Environment
At Corvallis Montessori School, our Toddler Program is designed to meet the unique needs of children from approximately 16 months (and walking) to around 3 years old, supporting them through key developmental milestones in a warm, home-like environment. The program is thoughtfully divided into two stages:
The Toddler House (16-30 months): Our Toddler House welcomes children from the time they are 16months old and confidently walking to around 30 months of age. This environment supports each child’s emerging independence and natural curiosity and is designed with the toddler in mind: appropriately sized furniture, individual work rugs, and freedom to move both indoors and outdoors. Inside the Toddler House, children experience a gentle rhythm of eating, sleeping, movement, and purposeful activity. They engage in real, meaningful work such as:
- Food preparation, table setting, and dishwashing
- Sweeping, dressing, and toilet learning
- Exploring puzzles, blocks, and manipulatives to build fine motor skills
- Enjoying storytelling, poetry, and song during language-rich group time
Toddler Transition (30-36 months): As toddlers demonstrate readiness for greater challenges (around 30 months), they move into one of our two Toddler Transition classrooms. This unique environment serves as a bridge between the Toddler House and our Preschool (Primary Program). Here, children:
- Begin to engage with more complex materials that foster deeper concentration
- Develop further independence and confidence in caring for themselves and their environment
- Adapt to the slightly more structured rhythm of the Primary classroom while still receiving the support they need during this important transition
The Transition classrooms continue to honor the child’s need for movement, hands-on learning, and consistency, while gently preparing them for the next step in their Montessori journey.
Connection with Nature and Outdoor Exploration
In keeping with Montessori philosophy, our toddler and transition classrooms all have their own dedicated outdoor garden space. These natural environments serve as peaceful extensions of the indoor classroom, where children spend additional time each day engaging in meaningful, hands-on experiences—watering plants, digging in the soil, observing insects, and caring for their outdoor space.
In addition to their garden time, children enjoy daily outdoor play in our large play park, rain or shine. This consistent connection with the natural world fosters a deep respect for living things, supports gross motor development, and offers essential opportunities for exploration, independence, and joyful movement.
With enrollment limited to 10- 12 toddlers per class, and our program’s consistent popularity, we recommend early inquiry — our waitlist often fills a year in advance. Interested in getting on the waitlist? Contact us today.