For our youngest students, we provide a careful, calm process of separation. This enables the child to become comfortable with a new school, new teachers, and new classmates. Parents are asked to stay in the classroom with the child until the teachers feel that the child is ready to separate.
TODDLER/TRANSITION INDOOR ENVIRONMENT/CURRICULUM
*Toddler sized furniture
*Fantasy play area with dolls, play kitchen, and play tools
*Book corner for looking at books alone, with friends or with a teacher
*Manipulative play area for puzzles and age-appropriate materials that help develop hand/eye coordination
*Art area for working with paints, crayons, markers, glue and playdough
*Practical Life activities such as pouring water, spooning, using tongs, etc. to develop small muscle coordination and concentration span
*Pre-language activities such as matching pictures and objects and learning vocabulary
*Pre-math activities such as number puzzles and counting
*Sensorial activities to distinguish shape, color and dimension
*Circle time for fingerplays, songs, movement activities, dancing
*Self-help skills encouraged such as dressing, washing hands, eating independently, toileting
*Social skills, playing cooperatively, verbalizing feelings, trusting new adults (teachers), and developing first friendships
*Development of concentration ability - our teachers never interrupt a child’s concentration. This gives the child space to explore materials without adult interference
*Development of self-confidence. Our teachers are highly knowledgeable regarding early childhood development and psychology, and are able to communicate with your child in a manner that supports self-esteem and self-confidence
“The essence of independence is to be able to do something for one’s self.” Maria Montessori
TODDLER/TRANSITION OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT/CURRICULUM
Keystone provides a separate outdoor environment designed especially for toddlers.
*Wheel Toy/ball area for riding cars and tricycles and playing with balls, push toys, etc.
*Shaded sandbox for playing with trucks, cars, animals, buckets and shovels and water
*Play house area
*Running/climbing area with cushioning ground cover and low climbing equipment