In the toddler class, children start to become independent. We will help them to focus on some of the following self-help skills:

1. Feeding themselves with a spoon.
2. Washing their own hands.
3. Picking up toys after play.
4. Putting on their own jacket.
5. Potty training (with occasional accidents).

Toddlers will experience some of the following cognitive skills:

1. Learning first and last name.
2. Using words to express wants.
3. Participating in stories, nursery rhymes, fingerplays and songs.
4. Identifying colors and body parts.
5. Counting numbers: 1-10.
6. Verbally interacting with peers.
7. Following two step directions.
8. A B C's and shapes.

We will find many ways to stimulate vocabulary skills. Some of the physical activities toddlers will do include running, hopping, balancing, jumping, stretching, walking backwards, rolling a ball, climbing, using a slide, group movement activities, etc. Fine motor skills and eye hand coordination will continue to develop as one and two olds:

1. Work with pegs.
2. Work puzzles.
3. Put together connecting toys.
4. Create block buildings.
5. Buckle, tie, snap, zip and button.
6. Cut and tear paper.
7. Glue, paint and color.

Socially, toddlers will be encouraged to help other, take turns, share, and interact with other children.

Music

Toddlers will be involved in a lot of singing. They will also participate in creative movement, (many forms of movement to music) marching and rhythm bands.

Art

Children will have at least one opportunity for art each day. Children will use crayons, paint brushes, scissors, and glue each week. Children will make at least two crafts per week.

Bible

There is a Bible story and Bible memory verse every morning. The story and verse are repeated for one week. During the week the Bible story is read and re-read. The story is also told using: pantomime, flannelgraph, through songs and fingerplays and by the children. Each Bible time ends with a simple prayer.

Topic of the Week

Each week the lessons are centered around a topic or theme. Our daily activities, art and language are centered around the topic of the week. We also have a weekly puppet show. The children love interacting with the puppets as they tell their story.

Language

The toddlers begin to use spoken language quite well. Helping toddlers to differentiate between such concepts as behind/in front of, inside/outside, on/under, etc., will enhance their communication skills. We concentrate on how different textures feel and how we communicate our feelings. Also, "silly sentence" activities are useful in helping children to develop listening and thinking skills. (I wear shoes on my head. I eat with a broom. ) Allow children to correct the sentences.

Parents and teachers should use complete sentences when talking to toddlers, thus encouraging them to use complete sentences instead of "baby talk". Toddlers should be encouraged to talk about stories and events, and to ask questions. Stories, pictures, poetry and nursery rhymes are essential to the language development of the toddler. We will read at least 2-3 stories daily.