Toddler Program

18 to 30 months

At Pakenham Community Early Learning Centre, your toddler’s day will be filled with engaging activities that promote learning and discovery. Whether it’s filling a cup at the water table, stacking blocks, playing with puppets, or sitting quietly with a book, your toddler will learn as he/she plays.

The toddler program focuses on constantly listening and talking to the children, while encouraging and modeling an age appropriate vocabulary and activities designed to stimulate curiosity and discovery. Staff are responsive and supportive of the emotional needs of each child.

Discovery Areas

Active Play Area: Tumble mats give the toddlers fun ways to practice large muscle control while inside. A large, fenced outdoor yard a joins the classroom for easy accessibility. Outdoors, the children have grass areas or sand areas, where they can continue exploring and discovering.

Dramatic Play: By acting out familiar events from their lives or by using their always-expanding imaginations children explore language and social skills by playing and cooperating with others.

Science/Sensory: Nothing better than getting some hands-on exploration! The experience helps you child learn basic concepts such as weight, volume, texture and fluidity using simple materials. Some favorite materials, found in the sensory bin include; snow, water, sand, mud,  feathers, Easter grass, and on and on!

Block Building and Manipulatives: What a fun way to exercise creative thinking and problem solving! Building buildings, bridges, roads, are just a small example of the possibilities. With a variety of small props added; cars, animals, people or material pieces that children are able to work alone or with a friend to create the masterpiece they wish.

Language/Cozy Book Center: A nice friendly place for your child to sit down with age appropriate books. The books are changed regularly to reflect the children’s interests. Story time happens throughout the day, one on one teacher to child and also as a larger group activity. Puppets and felt stories also promote the use of language and encourage vocabulary growth.

Toddler Room Essentials

Cubbies: Each toddler has a personal space to store clothes, hat, shoes, etc. This area also gives that staff a space to place any special artwork to go home.

Sleep Cots: After a busy morning and nutritious lunch, your precious toddler will need a place to rest. Each child has their own cot, where we like to place a familiar blanket and soft stuffed animal, supplied by Mom and Dad to make it feel a bit more like home. Lullaby music is played in the classroom when the lights are dimmed. The staff like to take time to tuck children in, and give them a hug, back rub, or whatever makes them feel comfortable to relax.

Diaper Area/Washroom: For diapering, staff follows written sanitary procedures to ensure top hygienic practices are adhered to. During the time frame when your toddler will start having an interest in toilet training, the staff will encourage your child with lots of positive feedback. The washroom is equipped with a toddler-sized toilet and sink to promote self-help skills and independence.

Room separator: With all the fun, MESSY activities the toddlers participate in during the day; the room has a clear Plexiglas half wall partition. This allows the staff to quickly remove your child when they are finished a painting experience or lunch. Toddlers are always looking ahead to the next activity, and the staff must do so too! Expecting a toddler to wait while a clean up is happening is unreasonable.