Our Toddler
Program
Making Sense of Their World.
The Habitat Toddler program boasts a unique identity within the school, offering a calm, nurturing atmosphere and emotionally safe space that reinforces each child’s emerging skills and builds a sense of community. Learning objectives include language, physical and motor coordination, socialization, sensory and perception, and problem solving. Here, young children are stimulated by activities that challenge, engage, and promote self-esteem and independence. Toilet training is also supported as each child is ready and interested, always in a no-pressure environment. Toddler students at Habitat enjoy active outside play every school day, both in our playground space and our half-acre outdoor classroom.
TOUR Our Toddler
CLASSROOM VIRTUALLY
A Day In The Life.
Our toddlers begin their day learning to confidently separate from their parents or caregivers. They are greeted by and learn to greet our toddler staff with warmth and calm encouragement, beginning the daily grace and courtesy routine here at Habitat. Throughout the day, students choose their work in the prepared environment guided by their teachers during the work cycle. Based on their individual needs and development stage, students may also work on potty training/toileting as part of their care for self and independence. Mid-morning, students come together for circle time (music, dance, movement and group presentation) followed by a snack. Every day students spend time exploring and working in the outdoor classroom and exercising their gross motor skills on the playground before ending with farewells as they return to their caregivers.
Meet the Teachers
Cholpon Meimanilieva
TODDLER LEAD
NORTH PRIMARY ASSISTANT
Cholpon is the Lead in our Toddler classroom. She trained with Seton Montessori Institute as a Primary and Infant & Toddler guide, spending her practice year with A Children’s Habitat (ACH) in 2011 and remaining a part of the school since that time.
Cholpon first learned about the Montessori education philosophy in 2007, when she and her family moved to the Boston area from Kyrgyzstan. Inspired by the development of her 3-year-old nephew, she decided to learn more about Montessori and quickly became very passionate about it, eventually pursuing a study and career as a Montessori guide. Her four daughters are proud ACH alumni.
Cholpon brings a diverse international background to the school. With BA and Master’s degrees in Political Science and a major in Chinese studies from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan), she studied in Kyrgyzstan, China, and Australia, and is fluent in Kyrgyz, Russian, Mandarin, and Turkish in addition to English.
Kayla Pappas
TODDLER ASSISTANT
I began my teaching career with an Undergraduate Degree in Art Education from Herron School of Art and Design. I taught Ceramics for the Saturday School Program at Herron for 3 years. I took time off after college to travel the world and gain experiences from different cultures. I have traveled all over the United States, France, Germany, Italy, The Rivera’s and Mexico. After my travels, I pursued a career as a Registered Behavioral Technician working with children with Autism. Covid had an impact on that pursuit and so I went into the food and hospitality industry, learning a lot about fine cuisine and beverages along the way. Whenever I am not traveling or working, I am staying busy with my earring business and ceramic projects. I love hiking, reading, films, music and hanging out with my partner and our 3 beloved pets.