The Children's Academy Frederiton
Designated Early Learning Centres
Infant & Toddler Programs Overview
Our Toddler Programs focus on providing your little one with a consistent environment to assist them in the transition to our centre. Our experienced Educators provide children with affection and positive attention while maintaining a sense of security that will allow them to explore the world around them.
Program Goals
•Promote well-being by providing a safe, enjoyable and engaging environment
•Maintain and develop emotional health and positive identities in an atmosphere based on trust, security, and respect (for optimal learning)
•Inspire self-help skills and independence by allowing children the chance to participate in problem solving and encouraging them to be independent (dress themselves, potty training, self-care, etc) and through positive reinforcement (verbal/physical)
•Encourage participation in all aspects of the program while still allowing free choice of activity with open ended materials
•Reinforce the development of strong self-esteem by valuing each child as an individual
•Encourage development of socialization and peer relationships through discovery and exploration
•Demonstrate consistency in verbal communication and proper expressions (physical and verbal)
•Encourage the use of senses through sensory and creative activities
•Facilitate the use and development of strong language skills and self-expression through both large and small group activities.
Room Design
•All toys and equipment readily available and within reach of children
•Children’s art work and projects are displayed in the room and will be highly visible
Areas of Development & Key Experiences
Play (Playful Exploration)
•Play and Playfulness: allow freedoms which may not be experiences during other activities
•Encourage children to test their physical and mental limits
•Provide a wide variety of open ended materials for children to use and play with
•Allow children to develop a sense of action and reaction, cause and effect, while exploring objects around them
•Recognize the value of Dizzy Play: children must be allowed to be silly, express humor, be rough and tumble, and engage in activities which disrupt and restore order.
Cognitive/Fine Motor Skills
•Develop fine motor skills
•Hand-Eye Coordination
•Concept of sorting items/materials
•Beginning knowledge of colors and shapes
•Beginning knowledge of counting (1-5 / 1-10)
•Introduction to the use of crayons and markers as drawing materials (encourage appropriate grasp) Sensory (wet/dry)
•Encourage exploration and discovery through the use of an extensive range of materials
•Broaden knowledge and heighten a sense of curiosity while stimulating the senses
Creativity & Crafts
•Promote Imaginative Play
•Model positive behaviors and relationships
•Encourage the development of a sense of self
•Encourage the use and development of language skills
•Model acceptable means of taking-turns and respecting others
•Facilitate cooperation in activities
•Allow children to copy what they see and hear around them
Circle Time & Language Development
•Facilitate the development of speaking and listening skills
•Encourage children to participate in song and dance
•Enable self-expression in group settings
•Demonstrate expressions and feelings through words and physical actions
•Introduce new and engaging activities Science & Nature
•How things work (introduction of tools and machinery)
•Introduction to cause and effect
Gross Motor Movement & Music
•Introduce different music and dance from around the world
•Promote health and safety
•Development of strong and proper large-muscle movements and uses through physical activity
•Promote awareness of one’s body (limits and flexibility) through physical activity (ex. toddler yoga)
Science & Nature
•Introduction to cause and effect
Social Responsibility, Respect and Democratic Practices
•Acknowledge difference among peers, facilitate an understanding and acceptance of difference
•Facilitate negotiations between children when problem solving
•Model respect and appropriate ways to treat others, materials and sharing space
•Model sympathy and empathy, encourage children to support and comfort others
•Promote an understanding of fairness