Toddler 2's
Our toddler programs allow children to engage in daily activities such as outdoor play, exploring the gardens and learning in nature. In the classroom, music and movement as well as self-directed and teacher-directed play is imbedded in our day to promote social emotional development, creative expression, language and motor skills.
Exploring Our World
The toddlers are slowly beginning to learn how to engage with others at this time in life. Social skills are a big focus at this age. Children learn how to play with each other, take turns and work together as a member of a group. Our job as teachers is to reinforce positive interactions through modeling of appropriate behaviors and provide positive affirmations for the desired action. We show lots of affection so the children can learn how to interact with each other in a positive manner.
Building Oral Language and Cognition
Children are immersed in a language rich environment, full of songs, stories and listening games! These daily routines provide opportunities for children to develop receptive and oral language skills. These are also necessary skills for children to begin hearing sound patterns and develop phonemic awareness, which will help build the foundations for reading development in later years.
Number Sense
Daily experiences with counting and one to one correspondence are incorporated into the children's routine. Whether counting friends in line, sticks on the playground, or flowers in the field, we emphasize these foundational skills in our day to day activities.
Outdoor Play and Gross Motor Development
Many opportunities are provided indoors and outdoors to develop large and small muscles. Balance, coordination and large body movements are reinforced through play and cooperative games. Free play with a variety of equipment and surfaces allow for children to physically move and develop their bodies while they enjoy the outdoors.
Fine Motor Development
Fine motor exercises such as tearing paper, puzzles and using playdough help our children develop the hand muscles that will help them with writing as they get older.
Social Emotional Learning
Two year olds are becoming more aware of themselves and others as they learn to play and work together with each other. Our teachers teach the children how to communicate their needs and feelings to their friends and validate their emotions so they can feel safe to express themselves as they learn appropriate ways to do so.
Gardening & Outdoor Learning
Toddlers are built for the outdoors! A love of nature and discovery is nurtured through experiences in the garden and our beautiful outdoor spaces.