🌿 Toddler Curriculum at Olea Montessori

Serving children 18 months to 3 years old

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At Olea Montessori, a Wildflower-affiliated, anti-racist Montessori school, our toddler program is rooted in hands-on exploration, culturally responsive teaching, and whole-child development. Our prepared environment honors the child’s autonomy, identity, and innate desire to learn, nurturing independence, joy, and belonging from the start.

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🧺 Practical Life | Independence + Identity

• Real-life activities that promote confidence, care for self, and care for community

• Materials reflect diverse cultures and home practices (e.g., different foods, textiles, cleaning tools)

• Tasks include pouring, spooning, food prep, handwashing, and sweeping—refined for toddlers' growing coordination

• Emphasizes sequencing, focus, and purposeful movement

“Practical Life” affirms each child as capable and contributing, connecting learning to their lived experience.

 

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🗣️ Language | Communication + Cultural Affirmation

• Rich oral language through songs, stories, and conversation

• Materials include classified cards, matching objects to images, and diverse, real-world books

• Toddlers explore multilingual vocabulary that reflects their families, cultures, and community

• Supports both expressive and receptive language development during the sensitive period for language

Language at Olea is not just academic—it’s personal, social, and empowering.

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🎨 Art & Expression | Creativity + Confidence

• Process-based activities like watercolor, clay, sponge painting, and collage

• Materials are open-ended, culturally affirming, and accessible

• Art builds fine motor control, creativity, and emotional expression

• Reflects Wildflower’s principle of beauty and deep respect for children’s ideas

Art is a tool for storytelling, self-discovery, and joyful experimentation.

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🤲 Motor Development | Movement + Mastery

• Fine motor: puzzles, scooping, threading, stacking

• Gross motor: purposeful walking, lifting, climbing, carrying materials

• Activities build coordination, concentration, and independence

• Environment supports free movement and responsibility for space

Movement is integrated into all areas of learning—because children learn by doing.