An academic program for students 18-36 months old.
Some refer to this developmental period as “The Terrible Twos.” We disagree; toddlers are terrific. We love everything about them – their energy, determination and curiosity – and purposefully created a very special place for your toddler to learn.
Where so many early childhood programs are chaotic and overwhelming, parents are often surprised to see the peaceful tone of our toddler classroom. The calm atmosphere and lack of distraction helps her to develop impulse control and concentration, planting the seeds for learning in this classroom and beyond.
Our students grow together into a close-knit, caring community. When children work, learn and grow together, they learn much more than any of them could learn alone!
Your child has a natural drive to be independent, which we encourage by creating an environment where everything is just the right size for her to do things on her own. Child-sized tools that fit her tiny hands allow her to independently prepare her very own snack. A miniature broom empowers her to clean up on her own. She is taught the skills of self-care and toilet training. Your child learns a set of concrete life skills and self-confidence – but, more importantly, develops the belief that she can choose to make a genuine impact on her world.
Our bright and sunny toddler classroom is specially designed for your child between the ages of 18 and 36 months. It is a world scaled down to your child’s size. Here, your child paints, cooks, waters the garden, sings songs with friends and plays with materials that develop fine and gross motor coordination.
We surround your child with rich and stimulating conversation to support this once-in-a-lifetime period of rapid language development. Your child, trying to blow bubbles, might be encouraged with “Blow! Can you make the air move just like the wind?” Your child’s mind effortlessly absorbs the new vocabulary, which plants the seeds for reading, writing and self-expression in the future.
Maria Montessori once said, “One test of the correctness of the educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” Take a peek into our Toddler classroom and you will see children who are happy, engaged, and deeply connected to their friends and teachers. As a result, your child develops a deep affinity for school and a true love-for-learning.
As he approaches 3 years of age, your child’s language skills and self-expression will develop rapidly; he will express a growing confidence in independence and a keen interest in broader concepts; he will want to know what lies ahead, outside of the Toddler Classroom. At this point, he is ready to move up to the Primary Program, for children from the ages of 3 to 6.
“My shy children have really come out of their shells at AIMS and are flourishing both academically and socially within the nurturing environment. The AIMS culture feels more like an extended family than a school with my children feeling safe given all of the support from the amazing staff.”
Terese K.
"We have been a part of the AIMS community for 3 years now, and we absolutely love it! Our two boys, ages 7 and 10, are happy and thriving here—both academically and socially. The teachers and staff are compassionate, supportive, and experienced. We know that our children are learning life skills here that will stick with them for a lifetime."
Crystal C.
DCF Certificate Number C04NA0004
(Many photographs generously provided by @hollybonnerphotography & @mynguyenphotography)