Pre- Toddler 12 - 24 months

Children between the  ages of 12 months  are in a vibrant stage of development known as toddlerhood. During this period, they exhibit rapid growth in several key areas:

• Language Skills: They begin to expand their vocabulary, often able to say about 20 words by 18 months and up to 50 or more words by the age of 2. They start combining words to form simple sentences.
• Motor Skills: This is a time of great physical development. Toddlers learn to walk more steadily, run, and start climbing. Fine motor skills also improve, allowing them to manipulate small objects with better control.
• Cognitive Development: They become better at recognizing the names of familiar people and objects, understand the use of everyday items such as a spoon, telephone, or brush, and start engaging in pretend play.
• Social and Emotional Growth: Toddlers at this age begin to exhibit a strong sense of independence, wanting to do things by themselves. They also start to show empathy and may become aware of the distress of others.

It’s a time of discovery and exploration, as toddlers are keen to interact with the world around them. They thrive on routine and benefit from consistent boundaries and positive reinforcement.

1. It provides consistency and a predictable routine, which is comforting to children. Children are relaxed and ready to learn when they can anticipate what is happening next. As children move through developmental milestones, they will need to practice skills at which they are successful. The skill levels will vary greatly with any group of children, even those that are all the same chronological age. Only you know how long to stick with an activity to benefit the children in your care. Activities may change or be repeated. You may spend fewer or more minutes on a specific activity; the suggested daily/weekly routines are a guide.
2. Includes open-ended activities and materials that build a learning community in your program. When materials can be used in a variety of ways, more children benefit. Activities that allow for multi-ages and multi-skill levels will include more children. Older children or those with more advanced skills will be models for younger children or those who have not yet attained the skill. Activities in this curriculum encourage children to work together, share, and be successful at their individual skill level.
3. Promotes multi-sensory experiences. Many opportunities are included in our activities that allow children to learn through touch, smell, taste, vision, and hearing. We know that children learn best when information is provided through all the senses. Inquire with families about scent, plant, or animal sensitivities and/or allergies the children may have before beginning any new activities.
4. Invites exploration and discovery. The activities in our curriculum include open-ended questions to promote language development, thinking, and problem-solving. When you model curiosity and wonder and encourage divergent thinking, you will be helping children reach new levels of development and deeper understanding of concepts.