FAMILY CENTERED CHILD CARE APPROACH PROJECT

TODDLER ROOM

On June 19, 2007 Colleen Munger, lead teacher for the Toddler 1 room, received her order of new materials and supplies. She has a small class of only five toddlers and that makes it easier to devote her attention individually to each child.

Colleen ordered a new kitchen set, play food and dishes for the dramatic play area. She also ordered multicultural dolls along with a stroller, several play dump trucks, board books and musical instruments. In order to offer more opportunities for children to manipulate toys for problem solving, a box of soft rabbit blocks and wooden peg puzzles were purchased. The children were curious and excited at the same time to find out about all the new things to do in the classroom.

On July 2, 2007 the Toddler 2 classroom received the toys and supplies from their “Wish List." Bridgett Walrath, the head teacher in the classroom, was as excited as the children with all of the new materials. Bridgett opened up all of the toys and immediately sat down on the floor to play with the children. The children were delighted as they tried on their new dramatic play costumes and began to build with the grid blocks that were purchased. Bridgett’s assistant Shana Lopez got right into the spirit and tried on a frog costume along with the children. She said, “It feels like Christmas in July." Other items purchased were multicultural dolls, manipulatives, puzzles, dramatic play food and an art easel.

Children in the Toddler 2 room ejoying the new grid blocks and dramatic play costumes

Sturdy board books, displayed so that toddlers can easily see them, provided numerous opportunities for language and literacy development.

Pretend play strengthens social development for this group of toddlers. Teachers can support the development of nurturing behaviors by modeling caring actions.