Toddler Class
Children must be 2 years old on or by September 1st of the year in which they are enrolled.
Teacher
Debra Bedard
Toddler Assistant
Jessica Albright
This program runs Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. There are 10 children in this class, one teacher, one teacher's assistant, and one duty parent. Parent duty days number approximately 10 throughout the school year.
Curriculum
"If it hasn't been in the body, it is not in the mind." Toddlers learn with their whole bodies. They learn by doing (and doing again and again), not by being told. This simple understanding is central to a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for two-year olds. Toddlers play as individuals, have short interest spans, and need much freedom of activity. They learn by repetition and experimentation. They are learning to handle their bodies in the basic developmental movements. They must be free to practice and become more agile and sure of their equilibrium. They must learn about space and their relation to space. They are fast-growing and ever-changing.
Our curriculum for the Toddler Class centers around self-help skills (hand-washing, dressing, toileting, eating); learning to cope with separation from Mom and Dad; making new attachments with children and adults; exploring the school environment; and learning to interact positively with other children. Our activities aim at the social-emotional, physical and cognitive growth of the children as we explore the world of the young child (home, neighborhood, animals, vehicles, seasons, etc.)
We maintain a safe and nurturing atmosphere to help the children feel secure and trust their new environment. We also follow a daily schedule to help the children understand what comes next. The room is set up and activities are planned for each session. However flexibility is the key.