Older Toddler Program

Fall 2023-2024

 

East End Kids Academy offers a learning experience that will engage and nurture the whole child; to inspire a balanced growth of heart, mind, body, and spirit. The children are given opportunities that are engaging and challenging but not frustrating, with plenty of learning through enriched play. Our teachers use many approaches to guide and speed their learning.

 

Program Requirement: *Date of Birth December 2020, January 2021, February 2021

                                             *Eligible to attend Kindergarten September 2026

 

Program Hours: 9:00 am. – 12:00 pm.

(Before & Aftercare available)

 

The following is a brief description of the different activities the children would be involved in during the program.  

 

Enriched Free Play

(In their Classroom)

During Enriched Free Play your child will visit various centers in the classroom that will feature activities that will go along with their theme.  Each theme lasts for two weeks. The classroom centers are: Dramatic Play; Nature/Science; Math/Number/Reasoning; Writing/Art; Library. The children are taught to CHOOSE, USE & CLEAN UP in each center they visit. Enriched free play is so valuable in the toddler curriculum because, while the teacher can use direct instructions with one or a few children, the others do not have to wait – they can keep learning through discovery, imitation, and their peer interactions.

 

Building/Discovery

(In their Classroom)

This time will feature different building materials which include wooden blocks of different sizes and shapes, roads, Legos, train tracks & tunnels. The children will also have discovery tables to explore in. A table may feature the letter of the week. Another table may feature the color of the month and/or feature seasonal items. The tables will allow the children to master their fine motor skills using measuring cups, spoons, funnels, tongs, sifters and more. There will be a quiet area the children can sit and “read” books or use the flannel graph board that highlights the letter of the week. Throughout the year, the puppet theater will pop up giving the children an opportunity to express themselves with puppets.

 

Gross Motor Skills Activity

(In The Gym)

The children will start with music to “warm up” and may use scarves, ribbons, hoops or balls to move with. They will dance and move to music and partake in activities that may include jumping, hopping, skipping or running – all important to enhance their gross motor skills.

 

Outside Play

(Outside Playground Sandbox)

The children will go outside to play every day that weather permits. We ask that you send your child to school with the appropriate attire. We will not go outside if it is raining, snowing, ice on the ground, and if it is too cold or too hot. When the children cannot go outside, they will free play in their classroom.

 

Art/ Sensory Time

(In their Classroom)

 During this time, the children will engage in art related activities allowing them to express their creativity. They will be given different supplies such as shaving cream, paint, crayons, chalk etc. as a fun way to express themselves.

 

Bathroom/Snack & Story

(In Their Classroom)

The children learn to always wash their hands after going to the bathroom and before eating. The children are able to go to the bathroom anytime during the day. To avoid bathroom accidents, we set aside a time to try to use the potty. Your child does not have to be potty trained in order to attend the toddler program. We will join you in the process of learning and celebrate with you when your child is able to use the potty when needed. Snacks & drinks are provided from home. We encourage healthy snacks and teach the children the importance of eating healthy to grow strong. After snack, the children will gather around to hear a story read by the teacher. 

 

Learning Circle/Songs

(In Their Classroom)

At the end of their toddler day experience, the children will gather as a group and have the opportunity to learn songs and chants that are about the holidays, seasons, letters, numbers or shapes. It is a time that allows the teacher and children to discuss their day and engage in activities related to the theme and to sing goodbye to each child.

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