In creating a plan for learning for a toddler, experiences fostering social/emotional, cognitive, physical/ motor, and language development are of utmost importance to consider.  Through play, children learn these key pieces of development.  It is the decisions that a teacher makes in creating a stimulating and enriching environment  that will either foster or impede this development.

Sand play

A sand box creates an atmosphere for discovering the senses.  Sand can be molded and shaped by hands, it is a stimulating texture, things can be hidden and dug up in it, and it can be poured over heads for even more discovery.  It is also safe to explore in the mouth, in small amounts.  A sand box is always a place to make new friends.  Modeling another child’s motions is another way for small children to learn new experiences.  When conflicts arise in the sand box (ie. not sharing, battle wounds, ect.)  conflict resolution may occur between the children all on their own, or they may need adult help.  Both methods build emotional development and set children up with the future tools of coping mechanisms.   Language skills are also learned in a sandbox.  Small children may babble, older children may sing songs while they play, others may tell little stories or make believe; all of which are picked up by other ears and become part of the individual child’s dialogue.  The interplay is simply beautiful to watch when children share kind words and mend their own little disputes.  Adding stimulating objects to the sandbox can foster cognitive development for children.  Measuring cups, blocks of wood, bowls filled with water–all add to the mysteries and joy discovered in a sandbox.  Through sifting sand, stacking blocks, and floating objects, children learn basic math and physics.

A nature hike can also be a very adventurous time for small children.  Even a short stroll through a backyard can take a half an hour or more.  Toddlers will keep their eyes to the ground before them, for the most part.  But the airplane overhead takes their spatial development to a whole new level.  Suddenly they are looking up into that bright blue sky with a slight unsteady stance about them, pointing and asking questions about the strange flying noisy object.  Insects, worms, frogs, and snails make for a science lesson within close reach.  Children can touch and feel these little critters, exploring tangible nuances and making connections between themselves other living things.  Learning to be gentle and kind are taught here, which can be used in the future when a social event occurs, requiring those kind and gentle manners to be called on once again.  Children learn language through listening to adults and other children, so a good lesson for teaching gentleness is by modeling the gentle hand gestures, at the same time using a calm, relaxed tone of voice.  Emotional development is gained through displaying these gestures and tones because the child will pick up on them and add them to their emotional tool box.  Frogs can teach us so much about ourselves!

Snacks are a must to keep those little brains ready for the next lesson in life.  Healthy, whole foods are coming back in style so what better way to learn about them then to grow them in a children’s garden?  Letting children dig in soil and be part of the growing of foods will only encourage them to eat those greens when they are on the table.  A garden is another place for learning language and developing socially and emotionally.  Working as a team can provide lessons that will reach far beyond the task at hand, fostering leadership and community skills for the future.  All the while little hands are in the rich earth, giving water to plants, and enjoying the fresh air.  Homegrown carrots are the best reward after a job well done!  Letting children help prepare snacks and meals engages their sense of ownership and

preparing the future

responsibility.  Even a small child can stand on a chair at the sink and play in soapy bubbles.  Having a set of wooden fruits and veggies allows the littlest one to participate in the event.  There is a set on the market that have velcro between the slices so that they can stick together and the child can cut them with the little wooden knife and cutting board.  This takes some practice, but little hands soon learn to coordinate with the brain and voila!  sliced bread for all!

Music can soothe the soul, but it can also activate the dendrites in little brains too!  Children can put most any two objects together and get a rhythm out of them.  When they are offered a variety of things to choose from, the choices are endless.  Metal chimes, wooden rods, kitchen equipment, fencing–I’ve even seen a child “play the grass” once.  Washboards are one of my new favorites, as well as those finger chimes found in belly dancer’s shops.  Really, anything for a good jam band can be found around the home.  Over turned pots and pans, strainers, wooden spoons, the list goes on and on.  You really

grow a gourd--make a drum

don’t even need to do the work in finding these things, the children already know where they live.  Including music in a daily routine can do wonders for the body, mind, and spirit.  Dancing creates body awareness, stimulates organs, fosters coordination, and it’s just plain fun.  Even a CD of any sort can fill a room full of laughter and chaos during the hum-drum part of the day!

Daily Learning Plan

morning:  circle time–singing a greeting song, hand rhymes, free play

mid morning:  snack, outdoor play, gardening/hike (rotate these each day)

noon: lunch, crafts and art,  story time, rest

afternoon:  music, dancing, outdoor play (sandbox, building blocks, free play)

For Scout, in particular, this daily routine may provide him with a variety of schemes for development.  He’s only a year old, so it isn’t quite appropriate to make decisions about what areas he needs improvements in.  In providing numerous objects for creative play and discovery is key at this point for his growth and development.  The most optimal environment for him is one that is full of nurturing connections and opportunities for exploration.  Below is a Child-Centered Web diagram that shows his preferences for learning on the right and goals for teaching him on the left.

Scout's Learning Web