A child between the ages of two and three is going through the transition period from baby to toddler. The Toddler II children will spend this time period learning how to take turns and to share with their friends. This age group is very enthusiastic and enjoys so much. They are ready to learn, and we will give them an active, vibrant environment where they can grow.

The following are skills and attitudes we look for. Some are already with some of the children. We will encourage the use of the following skills and introduce new ones:

LARGE MOTOR SKILLS

• walks up steps unassisted
• enjoys running, climbing, and jumping
• dances and claps hands to a beat
• enjoys knocking down blocks
• kicks a ball• hops on one foot

SMALL MOTOR SKILLS

• turns pages of book independently
• enjoys filling and emptying containers in sand or in water table
• grasps utensils between thumb and index finger
• can turn a door knob
• takes things apart and re-assemble
• attempts to snip with scissors

COGNITIVE SKILLS

Math
• understands size relationships—large and small
• classifies by likes and dislikes
• recites numbers to 10
• matches geometric shapes (can match 5 shapes correctly on foam board)
• constructs set of blocks when given a model

Language
• enjoys short stories read from a picture book
• describes simple pictures
• will converse—expressing thoughts, feelings, and ideas
• has around 300 words in speaking vocabulary
• recognizes own name
• enjoys poetry and rhyming words
• enjoys finger plays

Science
• learns animals and their babies
• learns temperatures and how to dress
• learns how things work (vacuum, toaster, egg beater, etc.)
• has accurate sense of touch, smell, and taste

Art
• uses “tools” of art—brushes, paste, crayons, scissors, etc.
• learns colors
• draws faces and bodies with facial parts, stick arms and legs
• pastes with index finger
• laces following a sequence of holes
• makes balls and snakes with clay
• snips using scissors with one hand