The toddler curriculum is all about independence--dressing independently, eating independently, toileting independently and working independently. Thus the environment is perpared with work to facilitate each of these areas. Upon arrival the toddler is allowed to take time to take off extra layers and change from outdoor shoes to indoor shoes. "I did it!" is heard frequently as the toddler completes these tasks. Toddlers love water and eating. Their day begins with washing hands and having snack. During snack they learn to scoop, tong, pour and eat their own snack. Sometimes they get to cut bananas or spread cream cheese. They begin to communicate with their peers and develop vocabulary around food. When they're finished they have the opportunity to wash their snack dishes. During work time toddlers learn to make choices, to select a work from a shelf, do it, and return it to that same spot on the shelf. The specific works vary based on the needs of the children in the environment, but include fine-motor skills, object permanance, gross-motor skills, care of the enviroment and care of the person. |
