| The single most important thing to remember if you | | | | intervene or change the situation if it appears too |
| have a toddler preschool setting is that Play is never | | | | difficult and exceeds their abilities. |
| frivolous. It is THE most effective way a toddler learns; | | | | 6. Toddlers can't see things or understand things "from |
| it is essential. The best part is that PLAY can be | | | | another person's point of view". They are busy |
| enhanced. This is where you, the preschool teacher, | | | | establishing their autonomy. |
| provide the opportunities to turn play into the best | | | | Keep these in mind when you are planning your |
| learning environment possible. | | | | activities and your days with your two year olds will |
| Expectations | | | | flow and be rewarding for them and for you. |
| The term, toddler, covers a wide age range and ability | | | | Abilities |
| range. I define toddler as between 18 and 30 months | | | | Toddlers need to have playmates around. Even |
| of age. My time with toddlers is governed by the | | | | though they may not play with another person at this |
| following facts: | | | | age, they are always paying attention to what is going |
| 1. Hands-on experiences are the best and why I prefer | | | | on around them and what their peers are doing. They |
| play to "worksheets". | | | | are learning how to be independent. They are learning |
| 2. Toddlers have emotions similar to adult emotions but | | | | that they have power to do things or not do things. |
| their thought processes are quite different. Meet them | | | | Allow them to experience this and the consequences |
| on their level. | | | | of their actions. **Note: this helps to explain why |
| 3. Toddlers emotions are close to the surface. I | | | | SHARING is often difficult. If they are establishing their |
| compare them to a light switch--one minute happy and | | | | own sense of self it is hard for them to share with |
| the next sad. They can go from calm to agitated in | | | | another. This is a gradual process and improves closer |
| seconds. | | | | to three years of age or older. |
| 4. Patience is the most important word I use to | | | | These are all tips that help me with the toddler age. |
| describe how to deal with toddlers. Stay calm and help | | | | Remembering that they may not be able to play with |
| them to learn of their own abilities to deal with their | | | | but play next to, that they may not be able to share at |
| feelings. | | | | this time but can take guidance on social interaction |
| 5. Toddlers will play-with us or without us. It is our role | | | | are concepts that will make your toddler preschool |
| to enhance the play when it is supportive and to | | | | planning successful. |