TODDLERS
Ages 24-39 Months
WE’RE THE VILLAGE YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR
WE’RE HERE TO HELP THEM FULLY POTTY TRAIN, BUILD FINE MOTOR SKILLS, AND EVOLVE THEIR VOCABULARY AND UNDERSTANDING OF NUMBERS WHILE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS IN THIS CRITICAL PERIOD
TODDLERS
Ages 24-39 Months
WE’RE THE VILLAGE YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR
WE’RE HERE TO HELP THEM FULLY POTTY TRAIN, BUILD FINE MOTOR SKILLS, AND EVOLVE THEIR VOCABULARY AND UNDERSTANDING OF NUMBERS WHILE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS IN THIS CRITICAL PERIOD
LOOK AT ME, I CAN DO IT BY MYSELF
Teachers encourage our toddler grads to become more independent without pressure. With lots of patience and encouragement, our older 2s are given daily tools to deal with the challenging transition into the preschool program.
The sophomore room teachers focus on providing an engaging environment where older 2s work on perfecting their practical skills through daily practice with greater structure and discipline.
Inside the classroom, we are busy building fine motor skills through art – cutting, pasting, molding and coloring.
Outside of the classroom, we refine gross motor skills through jumping, throwing and balancing.
And of course we continue to enhance practical skills such as buttoning and zipping clothes, brushing teeth and hair, getting dressed or cleaning up and wiping a table.
Yes, our goal is to ensure you’ve got a toddler ready to tackle their own self-care and contribute as part of the family at home. This is a critical lesson we encourage parents to continue, as it builds long term discipline, with the child feeling secure as a contributing family member. Chores are not meant to be negative consequences, but used as values-building exercise!
All this “serious work” is of course done with consistent praise and patience.
LET’S USE OUR WORDS AND MAKING FAST FRIENDS
Role modeling positive play, we foster social emotional development through guided play with peers. Our teachers show how wonderful it is to build a great relationship with a friend by emphasizing how helpful words are and their importance in communicating with others.
We build confidence in using beginner language skills through good morning greetings, circle time chatter about the day to day, our families, weather, holidays and calendar to extend everyday meanings.
Small group play through creative stations and exciting art projects alongside their peers perfects the practice of daily dialogue.
LET’S PLAY FIND THE ABCs AND 123s
Sophomores have now achieved longer attention spans at circle time but readiness is still months away. We therefore continue to creatively make learning numbers, letters and shapes an engaging and playful journey!
Focusing on reading strategies, teachers repeatedly point to letters all around us, use large story-time picture books and anchor posters.
Older 2s are actively learning through various art projects and sensory activities such as finding objects in sand, stamping on paper, sorting magnets and many more.
Prewriting strategies such as finger-tracing and painting occupy our busy toddlers by pointing out different features of each letter, number and shape and aid retention.
Linguistic awareness is refined by pointing out words that start with repetition of similar sounds in nursery rhymes & daily songs.
GOODBYE PULL-UPS, HELLO PRESCHOOL UNDIES
Mastering their biggest challenge yet is our main focus throughout this ‘sandwich’ stage of transition between daycare and preschool.
Being able to sit on the potty and show interest is wonderful, but most older 2s need an extra ‘push’ to achieve true potty success. Our eager sophomore teachers form a team composed of the child, the school, and parents, to effectively master this critical coming of age.
Consistent communication with our parents is key, and persistent teachers understand that every child has a unique experience and encouragement is a must to get to the next stage.
Patience and positivity help ease the incredible pressure that some parents feel and relieve any stress that trickles down to the child. Seminars involving school and parents, story time, songs and fun rewards, are keys to achieving potty success.
Meet yOur Teachers
Ms. Camilla
Ms. Camilla | Substitute Teacher
I just recently moved back to Arizona, where I was born and raised. I have a very, VERY large family who I adore and a German shepherd I love so much. Working with children has always been a passion of mine and gave me the idea for my ultimate goal of opening up my own foster home! Giving children a safe place to grow up would give me so much joy and fulfillment! I am very excited to join the PLA family and get to know your little ones!
Ms. Tasha
Ms. Tasha | Toddlers
I was born and raised in Ogden Utah, but for the last five years I have proudly called Gilbert my home. In my spare time I am usually snuggling with my dog Luna and playing board games with my husband. We also love going on road trips and other fun adventures! I am currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with hopes of becoming a teacher in the near future! I have always loved working with children… Before I began working at Premier Learning Academy, I was a nanny for 3 boys and 1 girl for a fun four years. I was sad to leave – but in turn – feel so very welcome here! Everyone at Premier Learning Academy is so kind and I absolutely adore the kids and their families! I am excited to continue to work with all of you and watch them grow.
Ms. Tori
Ms. Tori | Substitute Teacher
Hello, my name is Ms. Tori and I am so excited to be a part of the PLA family! I recently moved to Arizona from freezing Wisconsin where I was raised, and I couldn’t be more happy to be here. A little about me, I absolutely love animals so I have one cat and three dogs that are my babies! Some hobbies of mine are dancing, cheerleading, and hiking. I LOVE being outside and exploring new places. I also love exploring new restaurants and food! 🙂 While living in Wisconsin, I was so lucky to find my passion of working with 1 and 2 year olds and I haven’t stopped working with children since! While working at my previous preschool, I taught in the infant classroom, as well as the 1 to 2 year-old classrooms and absolutely loved both ages. Working with these kiddos is truly where my heart is. I am very family oriented and hope to become close with your families as well!! It is very important for me to make each child feel at home and comfortable at all times. One of my favorite hobbies is experimenting with arts and crafts, and I can’t wait to include my kiddos in lots of new activities!
