Happy September, Toddler Families 

As the cooler weather [hopefully] begins to set in, we'd like to explore toilet learning in the Montessori space before we are all dressed in multiple layers!

Believe it or not, all your children are in some stage of toilet training. Whether they are getting a diaper change while another child uses the toilet, sitting on the toilet during their diaper change, or are successfully sitting on and using the toilet, they are all learning a lot about the process every day. 

The basic principles of toilet learning emphasize an appropriate environment, independence, self-directed learning, and respect for the child’s natural development.  Toilet learning is a child-centric approach with the adult offering routine, consistency, and positive reinforcement.  Fostering your child's independence can include ensuring you have a floor or child size potty, allowing your child to witness or imitate you in the bathroom, and teaching the words and phrases related to toileting.  In the classroom we are already working with each child to be able to "push down" and "pull up" their clothes, remove their own diaper facing a mirror, and sitting on the toilet with each change.  

We invite each of your families to find a weekend that would work for your family to begin using underwear/no bottoms and having your toddler sit on the toilet in regular intervals.  The best part is you can send them to school on that Monday in underwear and we will take it from there. Amazingly, the Montessori sensitive period for toileting is 12-18 months of age so we are excited to get started as soon as you are!

In our classroom when we aren't toileting, our children are so beautifully engaged in the work cycles and engaging socially with one another.  We are exploring fine motor strength with 3D stickers, lacing, and paper tearing, cause and effect with in and out work like buttons into a tzedakah box, and language work with magnets, textured leaf puzzles, and animal matching.  

Thank you so much for trusting us with your wonderful toddlers and allowing us the gift of watching them flourish,

Morahs Megan, Sarah, and K