Toddlers are a unique mixture between baby and pre-schooler. Their developmental needs come from the transition that they are making as they grow each day. They are mobile, curious and active. They want to experience everything they see in the world around them. Although they are constantly interacting, most toddlers lack the verbal skills to communicate all their needs. For this reason they need teachers who know their individual style and body language as they continue to master communication skills. Toddlers are not ready for group-oriented activities such as circle time or organized games, instead they prefer to move through the classroom discovering, exploring and testing each new toy. At Bright Beginnings, toddlers will be provided with the materials, space, and supervision to be the free spirits that their developmental nature demands.

The core developmental goals for toddlers are socialization and interaction with their environment. Bright Beginnings offers toddlers an environment rich in choice. Choice helps the quickly developing toddler feel control over his or her life. Activities of all different kinds are offered daily. Such activities might include: using dramatic play toys, blocks or trucks, painting, coloring, singing, or playing outdoors, at the water tables or with books. Each day there is a gathering time where songs are sung and books are read. This is a time most toddlers enjoy. However, if they would rather play with blocks, they are given that option. A toddler's attention span is limited to about 5 to 10 minutes. Therefore a wide variety of toys and activities are offered at all times.

Our Philosophy over the past twenty-five years has been to provide a safe and nurturing toddler environment in which 4-5 toddlers work throughout the day in their own classroom. The focus has been developmentally appropriate: that is, planning and implementing a program that encourages self-help skills, language development, and introduces children to learning in a fun and exploratory manner. After completing our toddler program children move easily into a slightly more structured two-year old classroom with a larger group of friends and more challenging activities to try.

We have been looking for new ways to update our program and allow our toddlers more freedom within our building and at the same time provide alternative teaching techniques, knowing that each child learns differently. Maria Montessori, the famous Italian early childhood specialist, developed another wonderful philosophy for early learning that we think will work well within our existing program. Her philosophy at first glance looks much more structured than the typical American pre-school classroom because the teacher takes a significant a month of time introducing each and every piece of learning material, toy and book in the classroom before the children begin to work with them. Over time the skills for the children develop as they become more confident and they spend time practicing. For instance, when introducing the kitchen area in the Practical Living area, the teacher would spend time playing and modeling kitchen equipment-play food, dishes, pots and pans, tablecloths, silverware etc. so that children know appropriate use of materials. Later role-playing could focus on dramatic play events such as spaghetti dinners and pancake breakfast. Children mimic real life situation during role-playing and benefit from practicing through play, expanding their vocabulary and trying our social skills.

Please note the following SAMPLE DRAFT OF LESSON PLAN ACTIVITIES, SAMPLE ROTATION SCHEDULE and OUR WISH LIST so you get a better idea about our activities.