Infant/Toddler (Sample Daily Routine)
[En Español]Infant Daily Schedule
The infants' schedules depend on their individual needs. Kidango teachers follow infant’s cues to determine when they want interactions, are hungry, tired or need a diaper-change. To promote language development and to support the infant/caregiver relationship, our teachers interact with the infants throughout each care giving routine by talking, singing songs and reading board books to the infants. Our teachers encourage infants who are beginning to crawl by providing balls to chase or low climbing structures to challenge and enhance their motor development. In fair weather, caregivers take infants outdoors to play on the grass or enjoy the air in a stroller. When parents arrive to pick up their child, our teachers provide a detailed account of their infant’s nutrition intake, diaper-changing routine, activities and any milestones accomplished that day.
Toddler Daily Schedule
Morning/Free Choice Activities: Teachers greet children and families, inquire about the child’s evening and morning and discuss any specific information required to ensure that the child’s needs will be met for the day. During arrival time, children engage in free play activities of their choice. Teachers communicate orally throughout the day to stimulate and promote language development.
Breakfast: Breakfast is served between 8:00 am and 9:00 am. Our teachers introduce new foods and discuss tastes and textures with the toddlers. Meal times encourage the children to smell, see, touch and taste a variety of foods. Teachers engage in meaningful conversations, using open-ended questions to extend children’s conversations.
Indoor/Outdoor Learning Activities and Group Time: From 9:00-11:30 a.m. our toddlers engage in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that promote their unique intellectual, social, emotional, sensory and physical potential. Children choose activities that appeal to them. Teachers support children’s choices and offer daily repetition of activities in which they express an interest, gently steering them toward those that promote individual development as outlined in each child’s Individual Education Plan. Children participate in enjoyable outdoor activities that promote the development of gross motor skills (such as climbing structures, tricycles, push toys, balls and dancing) and sensory activities (i.e. water play, sand box, gardening).
As developmentally appropriate, toddlers are encouraged to gather for a short social group activity. Songs, stories, fingerplays and other group experiences promote a sense of community while building language and pre-literacy skills. Our teachers provide supportive leadership to expand children’s attention spans, language development and social skills. Toddlers who are not interested in participating in circle group time can engage in optional activities.
Lunch: Lunch is served between 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Nap/Rest time (12:30 to 3:00 pm): Teachers assist children in relaxing and preparing to nap as needed. Children who prefer not to rest are offered optional quiet activities.
Afternoon Activity: During the afternoon, children engage in more indoor/outdoor learning opportunities. These activities vary depending on the classroom curriculum.
End of the Day: Teachers prepare children for going home. Teachers provide parents/caregivers with verbal and written feedback regarding their children upon pick-up and sign their child out before leaving.
To learn more about our Learning Environment, please visit our Learning Environment pages.