ToddlersCurrently, there is one toddler class that operates within TOSCEL that includes children aged 18 months old through to 2 years old by September 1st. Created out of necessity, we have found this mixed-age grouping to be beneficial to both our families and our students. The younger children have enjoyed learning from the older children and skill-building from the behavior modeled by their older peers. The older children, meanwhile, have been able to expand their social-emotional skills including sharing, communicating effectively, emotional identification and regulation, and other prosocial behaviors.
Children this age are always on the move, constantly exploring their world, and delighting in the new friends and experiences of preschool. Educators plan materials and curricula to build upon the children’s interests and also to provide opportunities for new experiences. Clay, paint, graphic materials, music, and stories are often part of the day’s activities. The art studio, indoor bike, ball area, and outdoor playground provide additional spaces for the children to enjoy. |
Daily Schedule
Arrival
School begins at 9:00. Parents bring children directly to the classroom where they help them hang up their coats, wash hands, check diapers, and choose an activity before saying good-by. Educators and parents work together to make this an easy transition for the child. Family photos and special soft toys from home often ease the separation.
Early Morning
The classroom centers are prepared with a rich variety of materials based on the children’s interests and designed to provoke investigation and exploration. The children move freely around the room working in areas of their choosing. The educators circulate throughout the room supporting the children’s activities by facilitating the play, helping them resolve problems, and documenting the children’s work through photos and written notes. During this time materials such as paint, clay, water, and a variety of sensory materials may be introduced for exploration. Books and photo albums of families and classroom activities are shared by educators and children.
Together Time
The educators help the children clean up the room and everyone comes together for music, games, and creative movement.
Snack
The children are helped in washing their hands and finding a place at the snack tables. Healthy snacks of fruit, cereals, milk, and cheese are brought by parents on a rotating basis. On Friday a special Shabbat snack of challah and grape juice is served. As the children finish eating, they are helped to clean up their snack and join an educator on the rug for a quiet activity until everyone is finished.
Active Play
The entire class goes outside to the playground, weather permitting, or to the social hall where bikes, scooters, balls, and obstacle courses offer opportunities for loud, active play, group games, and skill building activities.
Ending the Day
The class gathers as a whole group or in two smaller groups for stories and a sharing time of the morning’s activities. Taking time to reflect on that day’s work and looking forward to the activities of the next day gives recognition to individual and group accomplishments as well as helps the children see the continuity of one day to the next. On Friday all classes gather for a Shabbat celebration of lighting the candles, saying the blessings over the challah and juice, and singing songs together. Parents are always invited to join the children for Shabbat.
Dismissal
Educators help children with coats and backpacks and bring them to the entrance door for pick-up at 12:00.
School begins at 9:00. Parents bring children directly to the classroom where they help them hang up their coats, wash hands, check diapers, and choose an activity before saying good-by. Educators and parents work together to make this an easy transition for the child. Family photos and special soft toys from home often ease the separation.
Early Morning
The classroom centers are prepared with a rich variety of materials based on the children’s interests and designed to provoke investigation and exploration. The children move freely around the room working in areas of their choosing. The educators circulate throughout the room supporting the children’s activities by facilitating the play, helping them resolve problems, and documenting the children’s work through photos and written notes. During this time materials such as paint, clay, water, and a variety of sensory materials may be introduced for exploration. Books and photo albums of families and classroom activities are shared by educators and children.
Together Time
The educators help the children clean up the room and everyone comes together for music, games, and creative movement.
Snack
The children are helped in washing their hands and finding a place at the snack tables. Healthy snacks of fruit, cereals, milk, and cheese are brought by parents on a rotating basis. On Friday a special Shabbat snack of challah and grape juice is served. As the children finish eating, they are helped to clean up their snack and join an educator on the rug for a quiet activity until everyone is finished.
Active Play
The entire class goes outside to the playground, weather permitting, or to the social hall where bikes, scooters, balls, and obstacle courses offer opportunities for loud, active play, group games, and skill building activities.
Ending the Day
The class gathers as a whole group or in two smaller groups for stories and a sharing time of the morning’s activities. Taking time to reflect on that day’s work and looking forward to the activities of the next day gives recognition to individual and group accomplishments as well as helps the children see the continuity of one day to the next. On Friday all classes gather for a Shabbat celebration of lighting the candles, saying the blessings over the challah and juice, and singing songs together. Parents are always invited to join the children for Shabbat.
Dismissal
Educators help children with coats and backpacks and bring them to the entrance door for pick-up at 12:00.