Curriculum

Younger Toddlers

As children transition to the toddler room, they are expected to follow a more “group” routine.  Most of the day is comprised of free play and child directed activities.  Teachers will implement small group activities and encourage participation but never force a child to a center activity.  Teachers comprise a general lesson plan with activities in each area of development:

• Art Expression

• Cognitive Functions

• Books – book handling, early literacy development

• Dramatic/Pretend Play

• Language – Songs/fingerplays

• Sensory

• Cooking/Special Activity

• Fine motor

• Gross motor

• Music and Movement

Caregivers modify activities to meet each child’s individual and developmental needs.  Many teachers will use a theme to aid in lesson planning.  Vocabulary is repeated naturally as it appears in different activities of the same theme.  Language development is a major goal for children in this age group.  Since themes are universal human topics, all children can be involved and teachers can connect curriculum to the child's life.  This makes the activity/experience more meaningful to the child.