Toddler

The Toddler program is planned to meet the special needs of very young children and their families. Our goal is to create a partnership with parents that will ensure that each child receives the very best care while at the center. A partnership begins with open communication and mutual respect between families and staff. Parents are welcome to visit at any time.Kids Depot’s daily classroom practice and programming objectives are designed to support the programs philosophy and the established long-term goals. Goals for toddlers in our care include: Respecting each child as a unique and special person; attending to each child’s physical and psychological needs; fostering and developing a relationship with a caregiver the child can trust; providing a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environment; creating opportunities to interact with other infants and toddlers; and, supporting children in their exploration and use of all their senses.

Curriculum

The toddler curriculum builds upon the developmental skills mastered in the infant program. Kids Depot designed the toddler classroom and outdoor environment around a theme of over, under, around and through- all from a toddler’s point of view. Quiet places, romping spaces, and laps to sit on are available at all times. Teachers plan curriculum on a weekly basis around a theme such as primary colors, nursery rhymes, pets, farm animals and seasonal activities.

Teachers pull from a wise variety of toddler-appropriate curriculum to keep these young children busy. Listed below are just a few of the activities our toddlers love to do:

    Sensory: Water play, birdseed, jello, playdoh, shaving cream, leaves, large and small cotton balls to touch, squeeze, poke, scoop, and pour.

    Art: The use of toddler-sized crayons and chalk. Painting with brushes, sponges, feathers, fingers and cookie cutters.

    Large Motor: Balls to bounce; bikes to ride; stick toys, baby buggies and carts to push and pull; and open spaces to explore.

    Small Motor: Things to put-together, pull-apart, stack, tumble, carry and hold, — large pegs in a board, shape toys, one and two piece puzzles, stack toys, and pop beads.

    Language: Books, puppets, flannel board stories and conversations galore.

    Science: Walking around the yard to look at leaves, animals, grass and trees. Pine cones, rocks and other nature things to touch and hold.

    Cooking: Preparing a snack or lunch.

    Dramatic Play: Dress-up clothes, hats and purses to try, mirrors to look in, and dishes and dolls for family play.

    Self-Help Skills: Learning to take off shoes and socks, pushing in the chair after lunch and washing hands and faces.

    Music: Sing-along-songs, finger plays, scarf dancing, and musical instruments to pound and shake.