toddlers
Toddlers learn to:
- accomplish new physical milestones
- learn self-help skills and to be a helper
- explore their creativity in art
- practice following rules and routines while developing independence
- learn to say thank you and please
- use their words to express their feelings
- count and math concepts
- develop citizenship, respect and helpfulness
Toddler Program
Respecting toddlers’ unique personalities while helping them develop friendships and learn the rules and routines of a group
Hands-on Learning
Toddlers are constantly busy, building their movement and language skills and eager to explore the world independently. Curious about everything, they need to touch and manipulate objects to learn. Toddlers grow best in a secure and calming environment that balances hands-on learning with plenty of opportunities to play.
PREDICTABLE ROUTINE
Toddlers need routine and predictability throughout their day so each toddler room has a consistent yet flexible schedule with a balance of child-led and teacher-initiated activities.
Supportive Learning Environment
Our secure and engaging toddler classrooms are well-organized and provide opportunities for toddlers to explore independently. Because toddlers learn by interacting with their senses, our classrooms are designed with numerous opportunities for physical exploration.
A CONSISTENT YET FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Our toddler teachers have a wealth of experience working with one and two-year-olds, and nurture children’s individual interests as they introduce new objects and ideas. Our toddler classrooms are the perfect environment for curious toddlers to develop and learn at their own pace.
Patient and Caring Teachers
Our patient and caring educators guide hands-on learning experiences and play to promote toddlers’ developing social skills and foster their self-confidence. As toddlers experiment with their independence, teachers set and communicate clear and consistent limits for them. Teachers adapt the environment, materials and learning experiences to fit each toddler’s unique learning style, developmental goals, and interests.
COLLABORATION WITH PARENTS
Our teachers know that families are the main influence in a child’s life, and communication and collaboration with parents helps establish the partnership necessary for success. Each day, you’ll receive a personalized electronic note about your child’s day including details about nap times, meals, diaper changes, and learning activities. Frequent family events help toddler families make connections with other families in the First Circle community.
a peek at my day
toddler curriculum
Curriculum is the heart and soul of any learning program. Our unique curriculum, Connecting My World, encompasses all of the care and teaching that happens in our program. Connecting My World teaches children the critical knowledge, skills, and concepts important for school readiness.
AREAS OF LEARNING
me and you
As toddlers, children are developing their own identity and personality, and beginning to understand how they fit into the diverse world around them. They are also learning the concepts of respect, diversity, and friendship.Me & You supports toddlers in building positive self-esteem, making friends and developing strong relationships with others. This area of learning guides them as they make choices, learn about personal responsibility, and develop values and character. By modeling and encouraging manners, talking about feelings, and encouraging self-help skills, toddler teachers help children develop critical social-emotional skills.
brain power
Toddlers’ minds are as active as their bodies – they are busy trying to make sense of the world, and asking “why?” Brain Power gives toddlers daily opportunities to turn their curiosity about how things work into scientific thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. Teachers help children observe, experiment, classify, sort, and ask questions, which helps children with their attention and memory skills, and builds a foundation for scientific and mathematical thinking.
imagine that
Toddlers are creative, artistic and imaginative, and by enhancing their development in these areas, we help them learn how to make choices and decisions, understand cause and effect, and further develop their critical thinking skills. Imagine That takes toddlers on a journey through the visual and dramatic arts, music, dance and creative movement. Toddlers nurture their creativity and imagination and investigate the world through their senses. By playing instruments, dancing to various types of music, and exploring paint, clay and other materials, teachers help toddlers explore the arts and build their imagination and creative skills.
healthy me
Toddlers are busy exploring and making new connections while building strong bodies and motor skills. Healthy Me provides an environment to help toddlers learn to strengthen and refine small and large muscles, understand healthy choices, and learn to develop self-care skills. By spending time running, jumping and climbing practicing proper hygiene and talking about healthy choices, teachers help toddlers build habits for safety, health and self-care. When ready, our toddler teachers work together with families to teach self-help skills to easily integrate toilet learning into their toddler’s day.
word smart
Toddlers’ language skills are growing in leaps and bounds as they learn new words every day and start to combine words into sentences. WordSmart ensures your toddler is immersed in a language-rich environment, with plenty of books and songs to foster a love of reading and build early literacy skills. Toddlers are introduced to circle time, which includes greeting friends and teachers, and learning through songs and stories. By introducing a weekly curriculum theme to expand vocabulary, playing games that teach language, and engaging children in conversation throughout the day, teachers help toddlers develop the language they need to express their thoughts, feelings and needs.
CHARACTER EDUCATION
sense of self
self-competence
Matching pictures and words for “ball” while playing ball games fosters self-competence
resilience
Singing fun counting and rhyming songs practices patience and resilience
self-management
Practicing yoga helps children calm their bodies enhances self-management skills
relationships
integrity
Using signs to communicate “all done” helps develop integrity
respect
Playing the hugging game and asking friends for permission to hug fosters respect
compassion
Playing games to match feelings with pictures develops compassion
citizenship
community
Dressing up and playing as community helpers encourages community
mindfulness
Sharing personal stories at circle time teaches mindfulness
helpfulness
Singing while washing hands encourages helpfulness
leadership
courage
Playing “red light, green light” develops courage
positive attitude
Creating an art project and sharing success with friends develops positive attitude
responsibility
Activities where toddlers learn to wait for their turn develops responsibility
learn more about our curriculum
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
AREAS OF LEARNING
