Engineer Room
We are thrilled to have you join us and look forward to working closely with your family throughout the coming months.
In the Toddler Room we strive to provide a safe, happy, stimulating, caring and fun environment in which your child will develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. In order to accomplish this, LB follows the High Scope educational approach, and our classroom uses Conscious Discipline(R).
The cornerstone of High Scope is active learning, “learning in which the child, by acting on objects and interacting with people, ideas, and events, constructs new understanding” (Hohmann and Weikart, 1995, p17). Stated simply, children learn concepts and form ideas through self-initiated activities-moving, listening, searching, feeling, manipulating-in which the adult takes on the role of participant-observer not director. For young children, this exploration and learning occurs naturally through their play. When engaging in play, children experience the critical elements of active learning: direct action on objects, reflection on actions, intrinsic motivation, invention, and problem solving (Hohmann and Weikart, 1995, p17).
“Conscious Discipline® is a comprehensive classroom management program and a social-emotional curriculum. It is based on current brain research, child development information, and developmentally appropriate practices. Conscious Discipline(R) has been specifically designed to make changes in the lives of adults first. The adults, in turn, change the lives of children.
Conscious Discipline(R) is a way of organizing… classrooms around the concept of a School Family. Each member of the family — both adult and child — learns the skills needed to successfully manage life tasks such as learning, forming relationships, communicating effectively, being sensitive to others’ needs and getting along with others.” (www.consciousdiscipline.com)
We incorporate family rituals and routines throughout our day to help the children feel safe and have fun. We see conflict as opportunities to teach, and focus on ways to be kind and helpful instead of hurtful.
According to the book, <i>Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Groups: Developmentally Appropriate Practice,</i> published by ZERO TO THREE, the main developmental issues for toddlers are identity, independence, and control. Teachers will help toddlers find appropriate ways to assert themselves by supporting their individuality, by giving them choices whenever possible, and by introducing social guidelines.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation in making your child’s experience in the Toddler Room a fun-filled educational experience. Please let us know how we can help you with anything, and we will be sure to do the same.