A Day in the Life: Toddlers at Forbes Academy

Where curiosity, autonomy, and belonging begin

Toddlers are little explorers, full of questions, energy, and big feelings. At Forbes Academy, we honor all of it. From the moment they arrive, our toddler program is intentionally designed to meet them where they are developmentally while gently guiding them into community, language, independence, and joy.

This is a beautifully structured environment that speaks their language and grows with them.

🌱 The Montessori Approach to Toddlerhood

In a Montessori toddler classroom, everything begins with the prepared environment, a space that invites toddlers to explore safely, move freely, and do things for themselves.

Here’s what makes this approach so powerful:

• Independence with purpose: Toddlers are given real tools (child-sized, of course) to pour water, sweep floors, wash hands, or slice soft fruit. They feel capable and proud.

• Language-rich experiences: We speak clearly, name everything, sing songs, and read aloud with intention, offering English and Spanish throughout the day.

• Freedom within limits: Children choose their work and move through the space with gentle boundaries that help them feel safe and secure.

Care of self and others: From toileting to helping a friend zip a coat, toddlers begin to learn how to care for themselves and contribute to their community.

“The child, making use of all that he finds around him, shapes himself for the future.”  — Dr. Maria Montessori

Sample Daily Rhythm in Our Toddler Room

Time	What’s Happening	Montessori in Action
8:00 AM – Arrival & Welcome	Children hang their belongings, greet their Guides, and begin calm individual work.	Children transition gently into the space, choosing what to do first, setting the tone for independence.
8:30 AM – Work Period	Open shelves with beautiful materials invite focused hands-on exploration.	Practical life, language, sensorial, fine motor, and early math concepts unfold naturally.
10:00 AM – Snack & Self-Care	Children prepare their own snack, wash hands, and clean up.	Builds self-confidence and respect for community.
10:30 AM – Outdoor Time	Gross motor activities, sensory play, and nature walks.	Children move their bodies and connect with the natural world.
11:15 AM – Gathering	Spanish/English songs, finger plays, stories.	Language development and social-emotional bonding.
11:45 AM – Lunch	Family-style meals with real dishes and utensils.	Community, grace, and courtesy are modeled daily.
12:30 PM – Nap / Rest Time	Children lie on floor beds or rest mats.	A calm environment helps their bodies reset.
2:15 PM – Wake, Snack, & Afternoon Work	More time to revisit favorite materials or explore something new.	Independence and mastery through repetition.
3:00 PM – Closing Gathering & Pick-Up	Songs, story, or mindfulness to close the day.	Children leave grounded and connected.

Why This Works (and What Research Says)

Montessori toddler programs are built on deep respect for how children learn and grow:

• Sensitive Periods: Between birth and age 3, children experience windows of intense learning in language, movement, and order. Our environment is designed to meet those needs right on time.

• Movement = Learning: As the Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT) reminds us, “Movement is not separate from learning, it is the learning.” Every activity offers motion and purpose.

Language Acquisition: We model rich, precise vocabulary and expose children to both English and Spanish daily. Bilingualism builds not just language skills, but empathy and global awareness.

💜 Inclusion, Neurodiversity & Belonging Begin Early

Every child deserves a space where they are seen, heard, and supported. At Forbes, we meet toddlers exactly as they are, with their unique sensory needs, personalities, and learning styles.

• We adapt the environment based on observation, not assumption.

• We celebrate all forms of communication; gestures, signs, words, and more.

• We gently model social behaviors and support parallel play as it develops into shared connection.

• Our guides are trained to scaffold, not pressure. Inclusion starts with respect.

“The first essential for the child’s development is concentration. The child who concentrates is immensely happy.”  — Dr. Maria Montessori

Quick Parent Tip: Language & Music at Home

Want to support your toddler’s language journey at home?

Try this simple activity:

🎶 Spanish Song of the Week

• Pick a short, repetitive children’s song in Spanish (e.g., Los Pollitos Dicen, Un Elefante).

• Sing it during diaper changes, car rides, or snack time.

• Add gestures! Toddlers love combining movement with music.

Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation, just model joy and connection.

“Singing in a second language activates both hemispheres of the brain and helps toddlers internalize rhythm, vocabulary, and tone naturally.”  — Inspired by Christine Lowery, Montessori educator & bilingual advocate

Final Thought

Our toddler program is more than a classroom. It’s a loving launchpad into independence, curiosity, and community. It’s where children begin to discover who they are and how they belong in the world.

Stay tuned for our next “Day in the Life” blog post highlighting Primary (ages 3–6) and if you’re ready to learn more about Forbes Academy, explore our Pre‑Enrollment Form or connect with us at info@forbes.academy