At the young age of just one year, we begin a daily schedule and curriculum in our Wobblers classroom. Each day consists of the following categories: Circle Time, Creative Expression, Manipulatives, Music & Movement, Stories & Flannel Board and Gross Motor. At the beginning of each day, our Wobblers have Circle Time; this activity consists of saying good morning, singing the ABC's and saying hello to their friends. This section of the curriculum serves to start the day off in a warm social environment. The children then go on to develop their creativity with Creative Expression, such as drawing, coloring or even painting an object that aligns with our theme of the week. Once the children have completed their creations, they move onto Manipulatives, such as puzzles, building blocks or fun dough. These activities help develop cognitive function and their fine motor skills needed in their hands. The next section in the curriculum is Music & Movement. In this section, the teachers lead the children in song with coordinating dance moves, allowing children to express themselves. Throughout the day, the teacher will tell the children a story, either from a picture book or with the assistance of a flannel board, which can hold characters from the story and allows them to manipulate them. This activity helps children develop focus and listening skills. All kids favorite: Gross Motor activities. These activities are helping the children to develop cognitive function with their limbs as a whole through activities like bear walking, hopping like a frog, galloping like a horse and playing on the playground. Although this schedule may seem intense for a one year old, all of these activities are spread out between snacks, meals, nap time and time on the playground. We do try to follow a daily schedule, most of the times the kids create their own schedule.
At Tinker Town Learn & Play Center, we separate the children under the age of one into two rooms. The children are split by the size and mobility, the smaller or less mobile children will be placed in our "Itsy Bitsy" classroom, where they will be given the specific attention they require to ensure development. Infants that are larger or more mobile will be in our "Sweet Pea" classroom where emphasis will be on continuing to advance their mobility and prepare them to enter the slightly more structured Wobbler room. This is when Tummy Time is introduced and they begin to feed themselves with guidance.
Learn & Play Center