Mealtime Prayer
Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything.
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Toddler
Care
General Information
Our Toddler Program serves children
18 months to 3 years
old.
Children
learn best through hands-on experiences as they play, therefore, our teachers will be seen on the floor playing with the children, building
communication skills and facilitating learning.
Spiritual Development is encouraged through the introduction of
Celebration and regular use of a prayer before meals and snacks.
At Lord of Life we have both younger
and older toddler programs. The Younger Toddler Program provides a flexible
schedule where the children can develop a strong positive self-image, good
socialization, and master coordination and fine motor skills. The Older Toddler
Program mirrors its younger counterpart with the addition of academic skills,
such as pre-math and pre-science, to expand their knowledge of the world around them.
The initial stage of spiritual development is encouraged through a Thank You
prayer before meals and snacks. Toilet Learning is also a focus in this room
and is coordinated to complement your program at home.
In both these programs, ample time and teacher assistance are provided to help
the children learn self-help skills in a relaxed, nurturing environment, which
is sensitive to their individual needs. Best of all, the toddlers learn more
about themselves. By the time our children have completed these programs, they
are ready to begin pre-school.
Nutrition
Our “Nutrition
Mission” is to encourage healthy, nutritious habits that can be carried
throughout life. Our menu includes homemade casseroles and soups, freshly
prepared pizzas and salads, muffins and pancakes. All food is prepared daily by
our own Food Service Department.
All children are provided a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon
snack. Menus are posted every week.
Our Food Service Department can meet
most special dietary instructions requested
by a physician with a written statement of instructions from the physician
on file.
Children who arrive before 7:30 a.m. are allowed to
bring in a healthy snack before breakfast. All other food will be provided by
Lord of Life at meal time.
Outside Play
Weather permitting, children will be taken outdoors
daily. Our Toddlers go for short walks in the quiet neighborhood
surrounding Lord of Life; play games and read stories on our Boardwalk; and
utilize the Toddler-sized playground. We encourage children to be prepared for outdoor activities on a
daily basis (including hats, mittens, and boots).
Toilet Learning
The
transition from diapers to underwear is best met with a unified front.
That's why we work closely with parents to ensure whatever techniques are used at
home, we imitate at the Center to the best of our ability. Bathrooms are
conveniently located within our Toddler rooms, making this transition process
even easier.
By the time children reach the Older
Toddlers, all wet diapers are changed standing up in the bathroom. This
allows teachers to promote use of the toilet. Children are encouraged to
try to use the toilet at key times: following meals, mid-morning, or when waking
from a nap. By working together, parents and teachers can help children
through this process with less anxiety.
Assessments
Periodically, teachers evaluate
each
child’s progress using a standardized assessment tool. The assessment tool is
used for a variety of reasons including:
- Individual lesson planning- to keep your child learning at their pace.
-
Tracking areas of concern- The Teacher will schedule a meeting with the
parent if she is concerned about a child’s progress in any assessed
area.
Development Goals
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Young Toddlers
1. To play beside another child
2. To assert independence
3. To recognize self in the mirror
4. To name everyday objects
5. To identify three body parts when asked
6. To follow simple instructions
7. To expand his/her vocabulary
8. To dump and fill a container
9. To locate objects on request
10. To join in songs and rhymes
11. To work a simple puzzle
12. To climb steps with help
13. To carry an object from place to place
14. To build a tower of 4 blocks
15. To use crayons
16. To throw a ball
17. To use a spoon
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Older Toddlers
1. To interact with others in a group
2. To offer toys to other children
3. to express empathy and affection
4. To use 3-4 word sentences
5. To name body parts
6. To understand who? what? where?
7. To use language reciprocally
8. To classify objects by shape or color
9. To name objects in picture books
10. To experiment with cause and effect
11. To respond to music
12. To undress and feed self
13. To kick and throw a ball
14. To motor a riding toy
15. To pour and fill a container
16. To build a tower of 4-6 blocks
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