Toddling Turtles - Young toddlers (approx. 12-20 months)
 

In this age group, young toddlers are taking steps, beginning to use words to express themselves, and becoming more and more social with peers every day.  Teachers in this room focus on modeling and encouraging language, sharing with peers, and guided play.  Young toddlers in this group also work on self-feeding skills, including the use of a sippy cup rather than a bottle, and eating with the group at a child-sized table rather than in high chairs.  Turtles have also transitioned from napping in a crib to napping on a nap-mat.  Rather than individual on-demand schedules, Turtles follow a group schedule of eating, sleeping, and playing. 
 

Toddling Turtles generally follow this schedule:
 

7:00-8:30 – Drop off and free play

8:30-9:30 – Breakfast/morning snack and free play

9:45-10:30 – Circle time and small-group activities (arts & crafts, books, and floor time)

10:30-11:00 – Gross motor play outdoors or in atrium

11:00-11:30 – Lunch

11:30-12:30 – Free play, clean-up, group reading

12:30-2:30 – Nap time

2:30-3:30 – Afternoon snack

  3:30-6:00 – Free play (outdoors weather-permitting) and pick-ups
 

This group generally has 12-15 young toddlers and 3 teachers.
 

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