Getting Toddlers Engaged
Toddlers spend their day engaged in activities and experiences designed to meet their emerging skills in language, social awareness and self help. With the solid support of a patient and caring teaching staff the foundation for later learning in the preschool years is established. Toddlers are active participants in the Feed Me Fresh nutrition program, planting rows of seeds and using all their senses in discovering new foods. The Toddler program is also a popular hit for dancing with the “Grandmas and Grandpas” in our JEWEL intergenerational program each day.
Highlights of MKCCC’s Toddler Program
The toddlers use “Creative Curriculum” in the classrooms. This curriculum focuses on guided developmental activities in the areas of language, socialization, gross motor development, fine motor development and sensory skills. Lesson plans are created to include a balance of active and quite play and structured and free play activities. Because of child to teacher ratios, we are able to create programs that meet the individual needs of each child.
A Safe & Fun Environment
MKCCC provides a safe and attractive child-sized environment with a variety of toys, materials and equipment available for discovery and exploration. Toddlers are just beginning to learn about being part of a larger group. Teachers help them become more socially aware by allowing them to express their emotions and by building their self esteem. We build each child’s self esteem by telling them and showing them that we know they are lovable and capable. Throughout the day we work on self help skills such as feeding themselves, using the toilet and putting on their own shoes. These are just a few of the accomplishments that help children feel good about themselves. Children at this age are just beginning to develop language and can be easily frustrated. Teachers are available to give children the words and act as role models to teach, to negotiate, and to compromise. Being part of a community requires the ability to understand limits and boundaries. Children are taught to follow classroom routines and have respect for situations which may be unsafe. Formal meetings between the teachers and parents are scheduled in the fall and the spring. At that time, we discuss each child’s progress, goals and evaluate how the program is working for everyone.
| “Mount Kisco Child Care Center is, in my mind, the equivalent of a dear friend. I became acquainted with the Center about 6 years ago while pregnant with my first child. Daunted by the search for quality childcare that my husband and I could afford, I started my search by asking my coworkers where they sent their children to daycare. The majority of them said “MKCCC.” But these coworkers did not merely tell me the name of the facility, but they expressed an exuberance about the many positive qualities of MKCCC with phrases like “they taught my child things I could not have”. I thought to myself, well perhaps MKCCC is the most affordable daycare center around here, but do they really share my (high) standard of how my child should be cared for? I was deeply skeptical, in the protective way a new mother is.”
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“I’ve been a toddler teacher here at MKCCC for 16 years. These have been the most rewarding years of my life. Building the foundation for children to develop upon and blossom into little explorers ready to take on the world is the most wonderful phenomenon to watch. Many of the children who were among the first classes I had, are now returning as volunteers. It’s amazing to see these kids as well-rounded adolescents who give their time to spend with us. I love working here at MKCCC and most of all love that I spend my days giving and receiving such love.”
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“Our son started in Toddler A in November after just moving to the area. We couldn’t be happier with our experience at MKCCC. The teachers are phenomenal, so loving and nurturing. We’ve watched our son blossom over the past 8 months. He’s learned so much – socially and developmentally.”
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