INFANTS AND TODDLERS: 6 weeks - 2 years of age
Infants and toddlers begin to develop an understanding of the world around them through their senses and physical actions. To develop these skills our infant/toddler program is designed with various age appropriate experiences and exercises which will help your child develop at his/her own speed. These areas include sensory motor, psychomotor, language development, cognitive development, large and small motor skills and social and emotional development. The children are spoken, sung and read to frequently, have many different objects in their environment to see and touch and have many opportunities to develop their fine and gross motor skills. At AIL we believe in communicating with all children and we introduce basic sign language, this helps the child and teacher communicate together.
TWO YEAR OLDS: 2-3 years of age
Two year olds are beginning to develop social skills, enlarge their vocabulary and test their independence. To develop these skills, our program for this age group offers a group experience and classroom which recognizes the special needs of each child. The children have many opportunities to explore and learn about the environment. The children are spoken to frequently and are encouraged to participate daily in individual and group conversations. Toilet training, dealing with frustration, encouraging self-help skills and providing successful age appropriate experiences to enhance the child's self-concept is part of the two-year-old curriculum.
PRESCHOOL: 3-4 years of age
Our preschool program offers a balance of free play and structured individual and group activities which gives the children a well balanced preschool education. At this age children are developing more intimate peer relationships, asking questions about the world around them and developing self-discipline and control. To enhance these skills our program offers activities and experiences in the areas of science, math, beginning reading and writing experiences, large and small motor skills, dramatic play, block play, creative and movement activities. Experiences are provided that meet children's needs and stimulate learning in all developmental areas - physical, social, emotional and intellectual. Each child is viewed as a unique person and activities are designed to develop children's self-esteem and positive feelings toward learning. Children are provided many opportunities to develop social skills such as cooperating, helping, negotiating and talking with each other to solve problems. Each child is viewed as a unique person with an individual pattern and timing of growth and development. Different levels of ability, development and learning styles are considered when developing appropriate activities for this
CONFERENCES:
Conferences are available at any time. Communication about your child with the teacher in charge should occur daily or be addressed in the daily note home. AIL encourages letting parents know how their child's day went. If you feel there is a problem which needs attention please feel free to arrange a meeting with the director.
MOVING CHILDREN TO DIFFERENT CLASSES:
When moving children from class to class we will notify the parents and provide the information of what the parents and children can expect from the new class. Parent-teacher talks can also be held. Class changes are not always made by a change in age (birthday) but rather when developmental changes and advances occur and the child is comfortable developmentally and emotionally with the changes. I have chosen to create a small center that specifically has the ability to meet the needs of children. A change from class to class happens gradually and well before a child actually is assigned to a class the child has an opportunity to know the group s/he will be joining. The integration is more of a child into a bigger space with a different care giver assigned to your child. Every child will know every teacher and every child within a 30 day period.
