Our Toddler Program is a play based program which focuses on the child’s language skills, social skills, and self-help skills as well as providing each child with the foundation for a positive self-image. The program uses developmentally appropriate practices incorporating structures and unstructured activities and positive discipline techniques to reach these goals.
Social-Emotional
Development includes the child’s experience, expression, and management of emotions and the ability to establish positive and rewarding relationships with others.
- Almost totally egocentric
- Likes to be noticed; loves an audience
- Lacks inhibitions
- Insists an own way, assertive
- Likes doing things by self
- Independent, has self-identity*
- Adapts easily
- Plays by self in playpen
- Refers to self by name
- Laughs loudly at peek-at-boo
- Cries when left alone
- Curious*
- Relates to adults better than children
- Active, eager
- Talks mostly to self
- Usually friendly
- Strong sense at ownership
- Mimics adult behavior*
- Experiences and shows shame*
Language
Development includes a wide range of specific competencies that preschool children will need support to learn including listening and speaking, reading, writing.
- Same two-word phrases
- Enjoys vocalizing to self
- Babbles in own jargon
- Uses “eh-eh” or “uh-uh” with gestures
- Names closest relatives*
- Repeats adults’ words*
- Paints to communicate needs, wants
- Shakes head “no” to respond*
- Responds to directions to fetch, paint
- Obeys verbal requests
- Asks “What’s that?” or “Whassat?”*
- Understands simple phrases
- Uses 5 to 50 words
Physical-Motor
Development includes balance, loco motor skills, manipulative skills, body awareness, spatial awareness, directional awareness, and active participation.
- Awkward coordination; chubby body
- Tottering stance
- Creeps when in a hurry
- Walks with increasing confidence
- Walks with feet wide apart, arms but, head forward
- Finds it difficult to turn corners
- Goes up and dawn stairs holding on
- Backs into chair to sit down
- Can squat for long periods of time
- Motor-minded: constant motion
- Loves to pull/push objects
- Runs with stiff, flat gait
- Uses whole-arm movements
- Carry and dump becomes a favorite activity
- Scribbles
- Turns pages two or three at a time
- Zips/unzips large zipper
- Likes holding objects in both hands
Cognitive
Development focusing on child’s ability to process information, conceptual resources, perceptual skill, language learning, and other aspects of brain development.
- Points to objects in a book
- Matches similar objects
- Fits round block in round hole
- Loves opposites: up/dawn, yes/no*
- Imitates simple tasks
- Interest shifts quickly
- Short attention span
- Follows one direction
- Gives up easily but easily engaged*
- Conclusions are important: closes doors, shuts books
- Thinks with feet; action-oriented
- Builds tower of three or four small blocks
*Key cultural awareness of identity characteristics