For those getting ready for a new school year, some of these concepts for room arrangement and scheduling (from a past Q&A) may come in handy. Start sending in your questions now for an all new Q&A for September!
(This video can also be found here.)
Great Toddler Resources
Teaching Two and Three Year Olds
Scheduling
As a sample schedule, consider as a two-hour program:
1 hour self-selected activities
5 min. clean up
10 min. large group
15 min. snack
10 min. large group
15 min. small group activities
5-10 min. free choice during pick-up time / other departure transition activity
Depending on the age and attention of your group, you may want to shave time off the large group times and add it into the self-selected time. Snack time could also be added into the self-selected time and take small groups to the snack area at set times during self-selected time.
How to Spot a Quality Play-Based Preschool {NJC}
Routines in the Summer {NJC}
Empowering Our Babies with Rituals {Janet Lansbury}
Room Arrangement:
I forgot to mention, the pieces you use should be low (3 ft or so) so that you have a good sight line to all areas of the room when you stand. (They should also be well-secured to prevent tipping.) Look from a teacher’s perspective to check your sight lines and usability, then do as Deborah of Teach Preschool describes in the article below, and see it from a child’s perspective.
The Child’s Eye View of Your Early Childhood Classroom {Teach Preschool}
Basic Premises of Preschool Room Design {Early Childhood News}
Designing Your Room {Community Playthings}
Naps:
I agree with Lisa in this piece: Toddlers need some down time, but whether or not they actually sleep is not something you can control. Give an adequate set time for down time (soothing routine, story, quiet music, laying down with transitional objects — blankies, bears, etc.). Then, if that 30 min. – 1 hour has passed, let those who are still awake move on to another quiet activity or quiet room, rather than requiring them to lay down for the 2 or 3 hours the other children may nap.
The Role of Nourishment, Rest and Exercise in Toddler Discipline {Regarding Baby}
I’d love to hear your input as well!
Keep sending those questions in to questions@notjustcute.com. I’ll be back with an all new Q&A in September!
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