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The child in Toddler I is making his/her first big step out into the world away from home and family. This separation is traumatic at first, both for parents and child. Soon, as the toddler learns to trust his/her new environment, he/she relaxes and enjoys him/herself. So does Mom and Dad! What fun it is to arrive at school and see other children just the same size. New toys and activities are great. Self esteem and socialization skills will grow and learning will be natural and fun! The progress this first year is so exciting.
Listed below are some of the skills we encourage, introduce, or learn in the Toddler Classes:
SOCIAL SKILLS
• Trusts teachers and other adults
• Waves good-bye
• Laughs
• Is affectionate
• Becomes aware of classmates
• Follows directions
• Refers to self by name
LARGE MOTOR SKILLS
• Climbs up; steps up ladder
• Crawls through tube/tunnel
• Jumps, runs, hops
• Uses balance beam on floor level
• Can use slide
• Runs with control; does not fall easily
SMALL MOTOR SKILLS
• Can pick up raisin using pincer grip
• Drinks from a cup
• Feeds self
• Enjoys simple 3-piece puzzle
• Plays “Pat-A-Cake” and other simple finger/hand plays
• Can place an object inside another
• Pulls pull-toy while walking backwards
COGNITIVE SKILLS
• Understands simple directions, one thing at a time
• Can follow through when a signal is given to “line-up”
• Understands “No”
• Remains seated for lunch
• Waits for name to be called
• Listens at circle time
• Enjoys songs and rhythm; will clap or tap
• Can use 10 or more words in a simple sentence to the beat of music
• Becomes familiar with the classroom schedule
• Enjoys talking about food in lunches and identifies them
• Can identify own lunch box and jacket
• Enjoys and learns about animals, colors, shapes, puzzles, sounds, body parts
• Is very proud of any creative project
• Can see sample of a project and create it in his/her own way
• Enjoys playing—dirty or clean
• Observes other children in class
• Identifies objects when they are held up
• Understands comparative words as big/little, fast/slow, etc.
• Understands positional relationships as in/next to, over/around, etc.
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