Toddler

Terrifically Busy Turtle Bees : Teacher: Ms. Kathy

Age range: 16 months to 2 1/2 years old. (class is currently combined with the older Terrific Turtles class)

Our toddler program is based on nurturance development of trust between toddlers and caregivers and opportunities to explore. This program is based on the idea that play is the child’s work. There is a predictable routine to the day for toddler that includes plenty of time for play and exploration. 

7:300 a.m. Arrival, Check In, Wash hands, check diapers
8:00-8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30-8:45 a.m. Potty/check diapers, wash hands
8:45-10:55 a.m. *Circle, art/table activities, free play, with diaper/potty breaks/wash hands.
10:55-11:30 a.m. *Outdoor play, weather permitting
11:20-11:35 a.m. Diaper check/ wash hands
11:30-12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30-1:00 p.m. Wash hands/ nap prep.
1:00-3:00 p.m. Nap/ quiet time
3:00-3:15 p.m. Diaper check/ wash hands
3:15-5:30 p.m. Snack/ Clean-Up/Activities/Departure

Items marked with * will switch as the weather/season demands.
This schedule will adjust to follow the needs of the children

 
 

Welcome to Our Class

This is a sample of what learning in our room looks like. What you see are two children, one playing with a large shape puzzle, and the other pretending to cut some wooden play food. This is happening, but looks can be deceiving. Let's look at what is going on behind the scenes:

1) The children are learning about shapes and colors, working on spatial awareness and hand/eye coordination, and are also building language and pre-writing skills.

2) The children are adding to their vocabulary, working on math as they count the different pieces that they are working with, and matching objects together.

3) They are building social emotional skills by talking with each other at the table, listening to each other's responses, and by using their imagination to pretend to eat/serve the different foods that are in the box on the table.

This single activity covers at least eight different developmental areas at once, and this is just a small five minute activity in the space of our day. Throughout the day there are many such activities that go on, some lasting as little as a couple minutes, some lasting as long as 30 to 45 minutes.

It is through activities and experiences such as these, that stimulate multiple developmental areas, that children learn and grow the best. The Busy Bee classroom is geared to provide as many of these opportunities to learn, and play, as possible throughout the day. 

 
 

Curriculum

CCDC staff, parents, and consultants work closely together to design a curriculum  based on the following goals for early childhood development:

 

Social/Emotional

We offer activities that promote self-confidence, self-motivation, and respect for others.

Language/Literacy

We encourage children to use oral and written communication to describe their ideas,  observations, and feelings.

Cognitive

We stimulate cognitive growth by emphasizing thinking, experimenting, and respect for diversity.

Creative Expression

We promote creative expression
through art, music, and drama.

Physical

We offer activities that promote large and small
muscle development.

Health

We teach children how to be safe and promote
independence. We provide nutritious foods and promote good eating habits.