Toddler Room Schedule for Nine toddlers
| 7:30-8:30 | Arrival and transition into school
Children will say goodbye to families, wash hands (EEC regulation) and then choose a manipulative or puzzle to do at the table. Manipulatives build fine motor skills. Children may also look at books. Teachers will play cleanup song to signal cleanup |
| 8:30-8:40 | Circle Time: Hello Song, finger plays, puppets, simple yoga moves and exercises. Children learn how to interact in a group-builds relationships with peers and adults. Yoga and exercise helps children learn how their body moves within the environment. A simple transition such as a rhyme or finger play will be used to transition to free play. |
| 8:40-9:40 | Free Play- Sensory, Art, cooking, music, dramatic play, literacy and building centers
Children are free to play in classroom centers. Sensory activities are essential for brain building, and children learn problem solving and decision making skills when they make their own choices. Teachers will play cleanup song to signal cleanup. |
| 9:40-10:00 | Toileting/Diaper Changing. Handwashing builds self-help and fine motor skills. |
| 10:00-10:15 | Snack-the program provides 2 healthy snacks per day that allow educators to set up snack quickly. As the children eat the teachers encourage conversation. Snack could be:
· Apple slices with string cheese or peanut butter · Crinkle-cut carrot “chips” with hummus · Whole-wheat pita-bread triangles or baked wheat crackers with melted reduced-fat cheese for dipping · Whole-grain tortilla chips topped with veggies, salsa and shredded cheese, alongside guacamole for dipping · Whole-grain pretzels, soy crisps, baked pita chips or rice cakes with a slice of cheese · Baked whole-grain crackers with almond butter, and 4 to 6 ounces of 100 percent fruit juice · Whole-wheat tortilla chips with bean dip · Whole grain, fiber-rich cereal with (or without) milk · Cucumbers or red peppers with low-fat dressing for dipping · Frozen no-sugar-added fruit bars with a glass of milk · Yogurt smoothie made with low-fat yogurt, milk, ice and any fruit · Berries topped with a smidge of low-fat frozen yogurt · Banana slices dipped in yogurt, rolled in crushed cereal and frozen · Low-fat yogurt topped with granola and fresh fruit · Microwave-cooked apple, peach or pear slices sprinkled with cinnamon and topped with yogurt · A turkey-cheese roll up · Mini-pizza |
| 10:15-10:30 | Dress for outside/Transition outside. Children are encouraged to put on jackets which builds independence and motor skills. The children sing a song such as, “The Ants Go Marching One by one,” as they walk outside, this fosters a sense of teamwork. |
| 10:30-11:30 | Outside play-may include time on playground and/or a walk. Children build muscle strength running, climbing, sliding and digging in sandbox outside. If weather does not permit outside play teachers will set up gross motor activities inside. This may include an obstacle course, exercising to music, tossing beanbags and/or moving bodies on small scooters. |
| 11:30-11:45 | Transition inside/hang up jackets. Toileting/Diaper Changing. Handwashing encourages independence and self-help skills. |
| 11:45-12:15 | Lunch- Children bring lunch from home. Educators assist children in placing lunch on table. Educators encourage children to converse with other children and adults. Children feed themselves and cleanup after eating. |
| 12:15-12:30 | Tooth brushing at tables/Cots and story time. Tooth brushing is an EEC regulation required when children are in care for more than 4 hours and are served a meal. As the children brush one teacher will put out cots. As the children sit quietly on their cots a teacher will read a short story. Listening to books builds vocabulary, awareness of the sounds of letters, and print awareness. |
| 12:30-2:30 | Rest time: Educators play restful music and offer back rubs to children who request them. For children who wake early or don’t sleep a quiet activity such as puzzles, coloring, or books are offered. |
| 2:30-2:45 | Toileting/Diaper Changing. Handwashing-Builds self- help skills and is a form of infection prevention. |
| 2:45-3:00 | Afternoon Snack |
| 3:00-3:45 | Free Play –Sensory, music, dramatic play and building. Children choose from classroom centers. |
| 3:45-4:30 | Outside Play or indoor gross motor activities. Gross motor activities build muscle strength and may include yoga and dancing. |
| 4:30-5:00 | Books, puzzles and dismissal. Children learn self-regulation skills as they wait for their families to arrive. As the children wait they will engage in conversation with adults and peers, building expressive and receptive language skills. |
