Snow days can feel like a pause in routine, especially for our youngest learners. In the Toddler program, however, learning is never confined to a classroom schedule. During snowy days at home, families are invited to see how the experiences of everyday life, mealtimes, getting dressed, movement, and shared stories, mirror the intentional work happening each day in the Toddler environment at Alcuin.

Rather than offering activities disconnected from school, guidance centers on familiar Montessori foundations. Practical life routines such as preparing snacks, practicing independence with dressing, and caring for one’s body reinforce the same skills toddlers build in the classroom. Purposeful movement, whether carrying objects, navigating an indoor path, dancing, or taking a brief walk outdoors, supports coordination, concentration, and awareness. Shared reading, especially familiar stories read again and again, nurtures language development and emotional comfort through connection and conversation.

What this approach reflects is a core belief of the Toddler program: learning at this age is woven into daily life. Even during unexpected closures, families can support experiences that align with their child’s developmental needs, honoring independence, movement, and language in ways that feel natural rather than instructional.

Families who would like to learn more about Montessori Toddler Learning Beyond the Classroom or about Alcuin’s Toddler program are welcome to reach out to the Director of Toddler, Colleen Jantzi.