Young Toddler

Age: About 1 year to 2 years
Classroom size: 10 children

The young toddler room is an introduction to both the developmental and Montessori programs. Children are exposed to both learning styles in an informal and child directed manner. From this room, parents, together with teacher input, will be able to make an informed assessment as to the best learning style for their child.

The young toddler room is filled with opportunities to encourage play and learning for mobile children. At this age, children are increasingly aware of their environment and are learning to interact with other children. In this nurturing classroom, children learn based on their individual needs and readiness. Activities here include more hands on projects and creative activities.

The room is filled with age appropriate safe toys and is divided into activities such as reading, puzzles, and pretend play. This room is rigorously cleaned and disinfected to limit children’s exposure to germs at this stage.

Staff are carefully chosen for their ability to interact with children and engage them. All staff members have been trained in 1st aid, infant CPR and fire safety. The staff to child ratio is 5 to 1.

Snacks, lunch and naptimes are flexible to children’s needs.

Activities include:

• Learning to self-feed
• Hands-on projects such as painting and coloring
• Reading
• Dress up and pretend play
• Water and Sand table
• Outside play on playground if weather permits
• Introduction to shapes, colors
• Celebration of holidays
• Music and movement
• Shabbat service

Children are moved up to the older toddler room based on readiness, rather than age.

Parents are part of the decision making process and are kept informed about child’s daily activities. Parents are encouraged to drop in at any time, as the entire school has an open door policy