Toddlers – the original Explorers at Saint Miriam! Our Exploring Toddlers learn best where they can discover their strengths and likes with freedom and independence. Our staff is trained to support and guide our Exploring Toddlers as they learn and grow at their own pace. Cognitive, social and communication skills develop significantly at this age and exposure to music, dance/movement, art, story-telling, alphabet and counting enhance this development tremendously. At Saint Miriam School your child’s involvement in these activities will encourage independence, build self-confidence and strengthen both fine and gross motor skills for a well-rounded preschool experience!
This age fosters friendship and emotional bonding. Feels excited when they recognize their names with alphabets, jumps in the count of numbers, follows the dance actions, laughs at things that are silly, tries to climb and balance themselves, express in few words that they do not want to eat, or want to sit next to friend. Knows to ask where the teacher is when she leaves the room. This stage they learn independence in eating themselves using spoon, cleaning toys and stacking properly, wearing jacket themselves, laughing at funny stories.
In our toddler room we try to see things through their eyes, so we do spend a lot of time sitting with them and interacting with them at their level. Their world is filled with adventure, excitement and testing their limits is key to their learning and growth. We expose them to experiences that they will carry with as they grow. We use creative learning methods to enhance the imaginative mind in Toddlers through –
- Telling stories in different ways, using puppets, drawing pictures, acting the story out are all ways to express an idea to a toddler.
- Sitting with them at lunchtime asking them about their food helping them hold a spoon and encouraging them to eat their lunch to be healthy and strong are just a part of our day.
- Dancing and singing song not only promote social and emotional and gross motion skills, it also brings so much enjoyment to the toddlers.
- The best part of the day would be interacting at playtime, asking them questions, teaching them through play.
- Being an entertainer/educator, making them smile and laugh and watching them learn in the process is a remarkable thing to be a part of.
Toddler Group Checklist on What to Bring!
- Label All Items
- Diapers or Pull-Ups
- Wipes (two small refills of wipes or one large huge refill bag)
- Diaper Cream (if needed)
- Three Extra Sets of Clothes and Shoes, if potty training. At least one set for those still in diapers. (seasonally appropriate)
- Lunch and Snacks in non-glass containers.
- Smock or large old shirt for messy play.
- Sippy Cup Filled with Water
- Spoons, Forks, Bowls, etc.
- Family Photo
Daily Schedule for Toddlers
- 8:00-9:00 – Breakfast and hand washing for Early Drop Off
- 9:00-10:00 – Welcome … Morning circle time, language arts & story time
- 10:00-10:20 – Morning Snack
- 10:20-10:30 – Diaper/Pull-Up changes and/or Potty Time
- 10:30-11:15 – Circle time and choice activities
- 11:15-12:00 – Outside play
- 12:00 – Morning Pick-Up
- 12:00-1:00 – Exploring Toddler Lunch Bunch
- 1:00-3:00 – Nap and/or choice quite time activity
- 2:30-2:45 – Diaper/Pull-Up changes and/or Potty Time
- 3:00 – Afternoon Pick-Up
- 3:00-3:20 – Afternoon Snack
- 3:20-4:00 – Story Time or Finger Play
- 4:00-4:30 – Table Activities
- 4:30-5:00 – Diaper/Pull-Up Change, Potty Time, Carpet Activities & Goodbyes for the day