Toddlers

Classrooms and Ratios

Toddlers are mobile, curious, and energetic

We foster these qualities and create an environment in which toddlers can explore their world safely and productively.

Staff are models of appropriate behavior

• Children are constantly observing their teachers in their classroom, and teachers act as models of appropriate, kind behavior.
• Toddlers are egocentric by nature and they look to control their world in many ways.
• Teachers respect toddlers’ needs by providing simple, limited choices that lead to an intended end goal.
• We help children develop their understanding of their own feelings by labeling and validating their emotions.
• We take time to make sure a child feels heard and understood.

Toddlers are learning to understand emotions

• Children of this age can have large emotional reactions.
• We acknowledge and validate their feelings as well as teach them methods to calm down and regulate their emotions.
• Classrooms will have cozy, quiet spaces where children may choose to calm down before returning to an activity or finishing a conversation with their teacher.

Teachers redirect and use logical consequences

• Teachers focus on what a child can do in a particular situation rather than telling them what they cannot do.
• Toddlers are often easily distracted and teachers may choose redirection rather than limit setting while guiding a toddler’s behavior.
• Discipline should teach rather than punish.
• We provide children with the skills they need to solve social problems, play safely and respectfully, and regulate their own emotions.
• If an teacher believes a toddler knows the skills they need in a situation, they may provide a logical consequence for their actions.
• Logical consequences are always related to an action and are respectful, reasonable, and helpful.