Ages 2 to 3 Years

Our toddler classroom at SHACC is designed to be a warm, welcoming space where children can feel comfortable and at ease, just like at home. To create this environment, we incorporate personal touches like family photos, child artwork, and displays of their creations. These items are positioned at the child’s eye level, allowing toddlers to easily see and connect with them throughout the day, fostering a sense of belonging and pride. This setup helps toddlers feel valued and provides a sense of continuity between their home and our center, making their time here feel like an extension of their own space.

In our toddler program, we encourage children to express themselves and explore their individual interests. We understand that this stage of development is a time when language skills, self-awareness, and social connections are rapidly growing. To support this, we engage toddlers in conversations throughout the day, especially during activities like circle time, where children gather to share their thoughts, and mealtimes, which provide a relaxed setting for social interaction. By actively listening and responding to each child, our teachers help to build communication skills, expand vocabulary, and encourage self-expression.

Daily communication between teachers and families is a key part of our approach. We keep parents updated about how their child is doing, sharing new milestones, achievements, and areas of interest. This ongoing dialogue ensures that families feel informed about their child’s progress and can continue to support their development at home.

At SHACC, we recognize the unique pace of each child’s growth and are committed to building on their natural curiosity and excitement for learning. Our play-based curriculum blends structured (teacher-led) and unstructured (child-led) activities, offering a balance that helps toddlers explore, discover, and develop new skills at their own speed. Teacher-led activities introduce concepts like colors, shapes, and early counting, while child-led play allows children to dive into their interests, build creativity, and practice decision-making. Through this approach, we support each child’s social, emotional, and intellectual growth, creating a well-rounded foundation for future learning.