Toddlers
While much of a toddler’s day can seem like rhythms of playing, eating, and sleeping, our teachers are skilled at encouraging exploration and establishing trusting connections. Our toddlers practice mindfulness, and, experience care through relationships that are responsive to their needs. This approach to care builds the foundation for lifelong mental and emotional health and well-being.
In our Reggio Emilia-inspired toddler daycare setting, we have 2 separate toddler classrooms: the ones class and the twos class. The principles of the Reggio Emilia approach are adapted to suit the developmental needs and interests of toddlers. Here’s how these principles manifest in our program:
- Child-Led Exploration: Toddlers are encouraged to explore their environment freely and engage in activities that interest them. Teachers observe children closely to identify their interests and support their natural curiosity through age-appropriate materials and experiences.
- Responsive and Nurturing Environment: The physical environment is designed with toddlers in mind, offering safe and stimulating spaces for play and learning. It includes natural materials, soft textures, and opportunities for sensory exploration, such as sand tables, water play, and art materials.
- Emphasis on Relationships and Collaboration: Teachers build strong relationships with each toddler and their families. They collaborate with parents to understand each child’s unique strengths, preferences, and developmental milestones, ensuring a cohesive approach to learning and care both at home and in the daycare.
- Documentation and Reflection: Although toddlers may not engage in formal projects like older children, teachers still document their experiences and learning through observations, photos, and notes. This documentation helps teachers and parents understand each child’s development, interests, and emerging skills.
- Art and Creativity: Artistic expression is valued as a form of communication and learning for toddlers. They are provided with opportunities to engage in messy play, explore different art materials, and express themselves creatively through music, movement, and visual arts.
- Holistic Development: The curriculum integrates various aspects of development, including cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development. Activities are designed to promote language acquisition, motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and social interactions in a supportive and nurturing environment.
- Play-Based Learning: Play is central to the Reggio Emilia approach at all ages, including toddlers. Play-based activities are carefully planned to stimulate learning and development while allowing children to make choices, solve problems, and interact with peers.
Overall, our Reggio Emilia-inspired toddler program focuses on respecting and nurturing the natural curiosity and capabilities of young children. We aim to create a supportive and enriching environment where toddlers can learn through exploration, play, and meaningful interactions with adults and peers.
Communication
We use the Procare software, an integrative childcare system. The parent engagement app allows parents to notify us when they are within the geofence so that we can be ready to escort their children for pick-up and drop-off when the parent arrives. We also have an open-door policy and parents are welcome to come in for drop-off and pick-up or any other time throughout the day.
Our educators communicate with families on a daily basis, discussing their children’s current interests, learning and development. The parent engagement app is also used to send messages, updates on Meals and Diapering/Potty, and, to share photos of children’s play and exploration throughout the day. So, even though parents may not be physically close to their children during the day, they can still feel connected and be aware of what they have been up to!