Dear Toddler Parents,
I hope we are done with winter weather, and with all the sickness that has been going around. Thank you to all of you who have kept sick children home to get better. We have been cleaning vigilantly, and teaching the toddlers how to cover their coughs and blow their noses. I hope Spring comes soon!
We have had some new children join our class. It is nice to see how welcoming the "old" toddlers are, and what good teachers they can be. We ask the older toddlers to give presentations to the new children and they love to do this.
We love seeing all the healthy food you give your children at lunch! Many of you have been sending in left overs from dinner; pasta, rice and veggies, potatoes, beans, chicken. Some other good foods we have seen are; hummus with veggies to dip, various fruits, hard boiled eggs, cubed meats and cheeses, low-sugar yogurts. Remember to send food in containers your children can open themselves. One of our main goals in this toddler program is your child's independence. One of the movements that is almost impossible for a child at this age is twisting. Please do not send containers that twist off. The lunch box is a cooler, and with one freezer pouch, everything that needs to stay cool does so by lunch time. Toddlers love to use spoons and forks, so don't be afraid to send foods that require utensils (but please send the utensils too). Also, for the new folks, in toddler 2 we ask you to send water bottles with water in them. During snack the toddler’s practice pouring and drinking from a cup, but we like to have water bottles for lunch to ensure more water is going into the mouth than onto the food and table.
I found a very impressive list of things your child should be doing by themselves, based on their age, from the website Positive Parenting. I have included the list for you to see all the things your child is capable of, and what we will be working on with them.
Self-Care Skills for Babies (crawlers) to 12 months
Throw own bib in laundry hamper
Clean face and hands with damp wash cloth (finish up with help)
Stow own shoes away (with help/works well to have one assigned spot)Feed self a snack (cereal 0’s, cubed soft fruits etc…)
Hold a spoon and toothbrush to imitate parents/siblings
Play alone for 10-30 minutes*
Self-Care Skills from 12-18 monthsContinue all of the above plus
Wash hands (may need help)
Brush Teeth (followed up with help)
Start exploring how to undress self
Start exploring how to take off-put on shoes
Start exploring how to use hair brush
Choose own outfit (offer limited choices)
Explore how to drink from open cup
Explore how to eat alone with child safe spoon/fork
Play alone for 10 -30 minutes*
Self-Care Skills from 18 months- 2 year olds
Continue all of the above plus
Undress pants/shorts
Explore how to dress self (shirts tend to get stuck!)
Put own pajamas into drawer
Take off and stow away shoes
Wash face and hands (may need help)
Comb or brush own hair (finish up with help)
Hang up coat (provide hook that is accessible)
Serve self a snack from a shared plate onto own bowl or plate
Explore using a napkin
Explore pouring water from pitcher into own glass
Explore how to wipe up spills
Put trash into trash can
Play alone for 15-40 minutes*
Self-Care Skills for 3 year olds
All of the skills from 1 & 2 years plus
Dress self (may need some help, esp. with buttons & zippers)
Practice using Snaps, zippers and buttons
Explore what weather appropriate clothing means
Put on shoes (it’s helpful to avoid laces)
Explore taking shower alone (Supervised)
Hang up own towel (make sure hook is height accessible)
Put away some of own laundry
Explore how to make own bed
Explore basic cooking (measuring, pouring, mixing)
Pour glass of water/milk/juice from a pitcher (see next!)
Wipe up own spills (helps to keep towels stored where child can reach)
Get a snack from the pantry (Try to keep healthy choices in reach)
Use a napkin at the table
Learn part of own address (Town and own last name)
Help set table (give choice of one responsibility such as napkin buddy or place mat setter)
Remove own plate from table
Explore using the kitchen sink to rinse fruits/veggies/cups
Play alone for up to one hour*
Self-Care Skills for 4 year olds
All of the skills from 1,2 & 3 years plus
Explore washing hair alone in shower (may need help to complete)
Explore more cooking skills (cracking eggs alone, making simple sandwich, cutting banana slices)
Learn house phone number
Learn own address
Set / remove own place setting at table
Learn a bit about how to work the washing machine
Self-Care Skills for 5 year olds
Dress independently (may still wish for help, but in general capable of doing alone)
Brush hair independently
Brush teeth independently
Shower independently (may still need assistance with hair washing)
Use toilet brush
Replace toilet paper roll if finished
Understand and choose weather appropriate clothing
Explore tying laced shoes
Explore what a balanced meal contains
Use the kitchen sink with confidence to wash fruits, veggies, plates, cups
Learn how to use microwave (with supervision)
Explore more cooking skills (peeling vegetables with supervision, chopping ingredients with safe knife)
Learn how to place item in oven using mitts (with adult nearby)
Learn about emergency numbers (how to dial for police & fire)
* Independent play is a really important self-care skills, like any other skill, children reach this at varied ages so the time one child may play alone is different from another. Having nearby supervision but not interference is the goal here. Children make amazing discoveries when immersed in independent play. - Ariadne Brill
http://positiveparentingconnection.net/
Upcoming events;
March 14-22
AMS Conference–School Closed
SPRING BREAK–School Closed
March 27
Primary PW (Language)
8:30–9:30 a.m. Room 3
March 29
Good Friday–School Closed
Thank you,
Ms. Breaux and Ms. Aronson
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