Toddlers
When you enter a Toddler Classroom, you will see teachers ready to listen, learn and play. We listen to your child’s interest to create a classroom environment that cultivates creativity and provides a safe place to express themselves and explore their world.
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TODAYAbout Our Toddler Program
Research shows that the brain develops more during the years between birth and age three than any other timespan. Our skilled caregivers understand this and plan activities that include your child’s interests while honoring their developmental needs. We ensure that those budding brains can grow during their day with our Green Garden family. At Green Garden we expect a toddler to experience what we call big emotions. Teachers in our campuses are equipped with the tools necessary to honor your child’s feelings and adapt the classroom environment accordingly.
Daily Routine
- Arrival
- Greeting time & Message Board
- Planning time
- Work time
- Recall
- Snack
- Small group activity
- Large group activity
- Lunch
- Nap
- Outside
- Care giving routines
Social Emotional Development
Within a given day, toddlers can be expected to have a full range of feelings: just like adults! At Green Garden we expect toddlers to express themselves even if it isn’t positive or “happy”. Developmentally this is appropriate and we are here to help them navigate these big feelings. Our staff acknowledges these little ones’ feelings and offers support for how to calm down. This might look like giving a five-minute warning before a big transition, or asking the child to take deep breaths and use the calm down corner.
Child-led play
Toddlers are curious and we want to keep it that way! While our toddler classrooms do have a basic routine of the day we also recognize that things happen. Young brains wander and we utilize this beauty whenever we can. If during a small-group activity a child sparks an idea for the entire class, we follow the idea and see how we can implement it. Open-ended art supplies and toys are available daily all within a childs’ reach. Children get options on whether or not they would like to play and we’ve found that in the long-run this helps them not only express themselves, but also stand up for themselves as they grow into preschoolers.
Learning to Communicate
Our toddlers are practicing communication skills by greeting their classmates daily and by practicing songs. When a two-year-old notices the excitement on their teacher’s face when they enter the classroom they are immediately aware of the love present in the room. For some children, words take time. We understand this and use developmentally appropriate literary supports to help our young speakers.
Conflict Resolution
Disagreements and upsets can be earth shattering for our children. Crashing blocks and items being grabbed from hands are frustrating experiences and interrupt a child’s stream of play. At Green Garden, we help support our toddlers by approaching adversities with calm voices, gentle hands and easy-to-understand narration. Using too many words with toddlers can often confuse them or further perpetuate their problem. Our staff watches, listens and guides children by stating what they see.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is discipline addressed?
We utilize a gentle approach as we see all behavior as a form of communication. Our job is to help meet the need being communicated and utilize the opportunity as a tool to teach.
Can we start potty training?
When your child starts showing they are ready we are happy to support their potty-learning journey.
Why Choose Green Garden?
Family Focused Community
We aim to be extension of home, not a watered-down version of school
Learn MoreCurious Learning Movement
We create intentional “YES” environments that foster autonomy and develop inquisitive thinkers
Learn MoreGardens & Growth
We believe nature offers never-ending opportunities for growth and learning
Learn MoreOutdoor Classrooms
We build spaces outside of our buildings to continue learning throughout every moment our day
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