Toddler Versus Preschool Years

There is a drastic transformation for children as they transition from toddler to preschool years, especially when it comes to education. Our Montessori school can make the transition from toddler to preschool smooth and seamless by preparing your child for preschool beforehand. Here is what you can expect during the toddler years versus the preschool years at our Montessori school. 

Toddler Years:

Toddlerhood is between one and three years old and is a time of rapid cognitive, emotional, and physical development. This is an important period that shapes a child’s future for learning experiences. Learning through play is the primary way of learning for toddlers. At our Montessori school, learning through play is the foundation of every child’s learning experience. We believe that the developmental needs of toddlers involve being exposed to many hands-on experiences and being encouraged to explore them. These hands-on experiences should include sensory activities and opportunities for the children to socialize with each other.  Common activities for toddlers at our Montessori school often include storytelling, music and movement, simple puzzles, and building blocks, all of which contribute to language development, motor skills, and emotional regulation. 

Preschool Years:

The goal of preschool is school readiness, which is equipping children with the skills, knowledge, and attitude needed to be ready for school. Preschools aim to enhance cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, early literacy, and numeracy skills. Preschool-aged children need to have an established routine because children must have a sense of order and predictability to successfully transition to a classroom setting. In recent years there has also been a new aspect of learning introduced to preschoolers which is social-emotional learning. The goal of social-emotional learning is to teach children how to identify and manage their emotions, communicate effectively, and build relationships with peers and adults.