Twos

TWOs
24 months through 36 months * 1:6 Ratio * Class Size 12

Our two-year-old program is designed so that each child transitions from the sensory-motor world of toddlers to an increasingly social world and the onset of symbolic thinking.

Twos are growing in their power to communicate, to move purposely, to assert their independence and individuality, and to control their important bodily functions. Twos straddle the total dependence of babyhood and the more independent, mobile world of preschoolers.

Twos need manageable challenges and mastery experience designed for them as individuals. They need a relaxed environment that allows for frequent changes in moods, interests, and capabilities. Twos, in particular, need teachers who accept them in their entire inconsistent behavior, setting limits calmly and firmly when necessary.

They need to explore the world with their developing motor skills so our two-year-old playground was designed with the needs of our two-year-olds in mind.

Trained teachers write individual lesson plans for each two-year-old. Some of these activities might include painting with ice cubes, making vegetable soup or snow cones, playing red light/green light, going on a rainy day walk and learning Nursery Rhymes and jumping over a candle stick. Healthy Beginnings, (Johns Hopkins University, Center for Technology in Education) is an instructional and assessment system designed to provide a common understanding of what two-year-olds need to know at each stage of their development.

Our teachers are trained in this Maryland State Department of Education system and will hold semi-yearly conferences with all parents to discuss your child’s development.

Our curriculum is designed to maximize:

Personal and Social Development:
Learning to self-regulate, gaining control of emotions, waiting for turns, potty training, putting on own coat, pretending, making friends, seeking help from the teacher, comforting another child, saying, “I’m sorry”

Language Development:
Following simple directions, listening at circle, asking questions, making conversation, singing simple songs, putting together longer sentences, recognizing familiar symbols, turning pages of books, pretending to write

Cognitive Development:
Learning colors, matching colors and shapes, helping clean up, showing interest in number relationships, retelling a favorite story, exploring, using imagination, reasoning and planning, understanding consequences

Physical Development:
Marching, jumping, galloping, walking on a balance beam, moving through an obstacle course, dancing to music, using rhythm sticks, using riding toys, learning to zip, learning self-help skills.

Curriculum Topics

Myself/My Family * Apples & Pumpkins * Five Senses * Shapes * Health & Safety * Pets * Comparisons * Animals * Plants

Well-planned learning centers allow for child choice and self-directed play. Teachers will structure learning centers with the child’s emerging interests and individual goals in mind. The children will chose where to play and the teachers will support and facilitate their exploration, bringing each child to a new level of development.

Meals:
A hot lunch and two snacks are provided daily. Children with food allergies and/or special dietary needs must bring all food from home.