Toddlers

 Toddlers are explorers. They learn all the  time, through everything they do. They discover gravity when they pull  themselves up and fall down. They learn about opposites when they climb  over, and crawl through, under and around. One part of a toddler's day  cannot be distinguished as more or less educational than another.  Socially, toddlers are independent, self-centered beings. Their wants,  needs, space, and possessions bear no interference from others. Sharing,  waiting for a turn and cooperating are social skills that must be  learned and are introduced and encouraged at PUMPKIN PATCH. Language  development is crucial for toddlers as it helps them express feelings  and needs related to other areas of development. The Patch's teachers  willingly listen, elicit responses, talk to the children, and patiently  answer the hundreds of questions asked of them. Motor development is  ongoing within the toddler program, and children are provided  encouragement, appropriate space and opportunities to further develop  both large and small motor skills. Music and movement are done  throughout the day, in addition to outside time where the children can  just be children, because we feel that is the most important part of  being a toddler.