Fine Arts - The children are introduced to a wide variety of art materials that are used for creative exploration. During these interactions, the children learn about the feelings art may inspire – including pride in one’s own work.
Language Arts – Throughout the year, children focus on using verbal/nonverbal communication, pre-writing and pre-reading skills. The children covey their awareness by responding to their names and conversation prompts. Addressing others by name and conversing with peers and teachers is fundamental in building our language skills. Using words and expressing wants and needs are important elements when expanding verbal communication. Expressing themselves on paper during art activities or at the writing centers are ways toddlers develop their pre-writing. The Early Childhood Program celebrates the importance of reading by having books available throughout the day for one-to-one reading and for group time reading.
Math – Toddlers love to divide objects into categories by shape, size, color, or type. Throughout the year the children are exploring, questioning and mastering problem-solving skills. The children will demonstrate, through play, their rudimentary understanding of classification and sequencing. Numbers are viewed and counted daily during calendar activities, number signs in the classroom, counting friends and other daily occurrences.
Music – Students have the opportunity to participate in a music class once a week with the Lower School music teacher. Students are introduced to steady beat, pitch (high and low pitch differentiation), timbre (sounds of various small percussion instruments and piano), loud and quiet instrument play, and active listening (movement to simple songs with hands and bodies).
Physical – Strengthening physical development can be observed in almost everything toddlers do, from holding a pencil to running and climbing. Some activities that help develop the hand muscles and other small motions include: sorting, building, writing, drawing, cutting and eating. Gross motor skills help to develop the largest muscle groups and are usually best experienced outdoors or in the gross motor room. Balancing, running, riding a bike and climbing are movements toddlers focus on throughout the year. Personal needs, such as washing hands, wiping noses and toileting are also part of the physical development of the children.
Science – Our classroom and environmental explorations provide numerous opportunities for children to increase their scientific knowledge. By engaging in constant conversations, children are expanding their vocabulary and knowledge of their bodies and the world around them. Nature exploration is facilitated by our outdoor studies teacher. Specific areas of interest include: sound, weather phenomena, seasonal changes, magnification and magnets.
Social Studies – Through experimentation with objects, language and social interactions, toddlers are entering a new phase of mental activity. The children are learning how to be safe within their environment, how to use words to express feelings, and how to act appropriately in different situations.
