Toddler Program
Toddlerhood is an exciting and challenging time for parents and caregivers. The newly learned skill of walking soon leads to running; “baby speak” becomes more understandable; and all of a sudden a complex personality has taken form. We know that loving, teaching, and caring for toddlers requires consistency and understanding.
Our teachers begin to set the stage for love of learning by bridging both new and familiar concepts to young children. Children begin turn-taking (precursor to sharing), sitting for story and music times, finding out about basic shapes and spatial awareness through fun, engaging activities designed to stimulate a young child’s naturally curious nature. Activities focus on the development of fine and gross motor skills including self sufficiency in feeding, pottying and self-care. There are at least 2 daily circle times for teacher led activities including story telling, singing, flashcards and other learning manipulatives.
The teachers in the toddler rooms use tablets and the KidsReports app to provide regular updates throughout the day and letting parents know their child’s activities for the day. Parents also receive real time updates during the day letting them know about their child’s daily eating, diapering and sleeping routines. Additionally, the Kids Report app allow the teachers to take pictures and videos of the kids during the day and to not only sharing the videos on a daily basis but to also store them for the development of a year end portfolio so that you can see the child’s progress throughout the year. Cypress will be implementing the Kids Report app during the winter of 2020-2021.
Toddler classes also focus on potty training for each child. Teachers and parents work together to make the potty training experience easier for children. We have potty-training books available to help parents along in this process.
The toddlers have their own outside play area with a variety of surfaces and structures to help develop their gross motor skills. We have stationary climbing equipment, riding cars, and play houses for imaginative play. The gym at Tomball has riding toys, playhouses, balls, and parachute games for the children to use on rainy or very hot days. The outdoor free play time, organized games and gym time are designed for physical development and, just importantly, for building social skills as children learn to share and play together.
