Nido Curriculum

18 - 36 months


The entire toddler environment is designed to allow the children to explore and to develop concentration and coordination within our toddler Montessori program. The teachers observe the children each day and monitor their overall development.

A nurturing and secure environment

Our small toddler community provides an environment which is carefully prepared to meet the distinct needs of this age group. The environment is divided into areas which include gross motor movement, fine motor development, Practical Life, Art, Sensorial, and Language. The exercises of Practical Life include care of the environment (both indoor and outdoor), care of the self, and refinement of grace and courtesy — foundational elements of our Nido Curriculum program in Sarasota.


The entire toddler environment is designed to allow the children to explore and to develop concentration and coordination. The teachers observe the children each day and monitor their overall development.


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.


Families searching for the best Montessori toddler program in Sarasota often value this calm, nurturing approach to early childhood development.


The primary goal of the toddler program is to create a nurturing and secure environment where young children can do what they do best – explore!

A community

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!

“Help me to do it myself”

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 prepare a snack and serve it to friends. 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.

A beautiful environment

At Seeds of Life Montessori Academy, our bright and sunny toddler classrooms are 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.

Absorbing language

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.

A joyful experience

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 — qualities families often seek when searching for a Montessori toddler program near me.

Ready to move up

Sometime between the ages of 2 1/2 to 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 Casa Curriculum, for children from the ages of 3 to 6.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nido Curriculum

  • What is the ideal age for a toddler to start Montessori in Sarasota?

    The ideal age to start a Montessori toddler program is between 18 and 36 months, when children experience rapid growth in language, movement, independence, and social development. At Seeds of Life, all of our classrooms, including our Nido classroom, are designed around this window, with a 1:6 staff-to-student ratio that means every child is genuinely known by their guide. Many families in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch choose to begin Montessori during these years because children naturally develop practical life skills and independence through daily experience. Financial aid and sibling discounts are available for eligible families; contact us to learn what may be available for your family.

  • How does a Montessori Nido classroom help toddlers separate from their parents?

    A Montessori Nido classroom helps toddlers adjust to separation by providing predictable routines, caring guides, and a calm environment that helps children feel safe and secure. At Seeds of Life, our guides hold a two-year specialist Montessori credential, far beyond a standard teaching degree, which means they understand the developmental science of attachment and transition. As toddlers build trusting relationships with their teachers and classmates over the three-year cycle, they become more comfortable exploring independently and participating in classroom activities.

  • What practical life skills do toddlers learn in a Montessori program before age 3?

    Before age 3, toddlers in a Montessori classroom practice everyday skills that build independence and coordination. Activities often include pouring water, cleaning tables, washing hands, putting away materials, dressing themselves, carrying objects carefully, and caring for their classroom environment. These practical life experiences strengthen concentration, fine motor skills, confidence, and problem-solving while preparing children for future learning. At Seeds of Life, these activities unfold at each child's pace, guided by a specialist who closely observes and introduces the next step at exactly the right moment.

  • How does Montessori support toilet learning and self-care for toddlers?

    Montessori supports toilet learning by encouraging independence through consistent routines, child-sized furniture, and respectful guidance. Rather than using pressure or rewards, our guides help children recognize their own readiness and practice dressing, handwashing, and personal care skills at their own pace. This approach helps toddlers develop confidence, body awareness, and responsibility for their daily routines, grounded in the same developmental research that underpins the entire Montessori method.

  • What should parents expect during their toddler's first weeks in a Montessori Nido classroom?

    During the first few weeks, toddlers typically spend time adjusting to new routines, teachers, and classmates. Some children adapt quickly, while others need additional time to feel comfortable. At Seeds of Life, the 1:6 ratio means your child's guide has genuine capacity to observe, support, and respond, not just manage. As children become familiar with the classroom, most toddlers begin participating independently and enjoy becoming active members of the learning community. We warmly encourage families to schedule a tour so you can see this environment in person before making any decisions.

  • We've been considering homeschooling for our toddler. How is Nido different?

    Many families who consider homeschooling are drawn to the same things Montessori offers: individual attention, a values-centered approach, and a close relationship with the adult guiding their child. At Seeds of Life, your toddler benefits from all of this — with a 1:6 ratio that means genuinely personalized attention, plus something a home environment struggles to provide: a peer community of children at similar developmental stages, a bilingual (English and Spanish) immersive environment, and guides who hold a two-year specialist Montessori credential. Come visit and see what our Nido classroom looks and feels like in person.

One of the best schools we could pick for our 2-year-old son. The teachers are amazing, providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for the children to thrive in. They are patient, kind, and truly dedicated to helping each child reach their full potential. The administration is also top-notch, always available to answer any questions and address any concerns. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a high-quality Montessori education for their kids.

Carolina Fogoros