The “toddler” phase of a young child’s life is brief yet crucial. Newly mobile, they can move through the world, seeing and touching things that were not apparent to them a few months ago.
Whether or not they are speaking words, their receptive language is growing at an exponential rate. They are developing an awareness that they are separate from you, which sets the stage for empathy.
To support all this growth, they are building over a million neural connections per second. While your child is your number one priority, you have many other responsibilities within and outside the home.
So, what should you look for as you consider your precious child’s rapidly changing needs?
Consider finding a school where your young child will discover and express their true potential. Here are some things to look for in your search:
1. Professionally Trained Adults - Are the teachers/guides professionally trained in child development? Do they demonstrate an ability to observe each child with love and an understanding of pediatric neurology? Are all the adults who interact with the children, from the office to the classrooms and extended care, offered respect and ongoing professional development from the administration? Does the school have outside accreditation bodies attesting to educational quality and consistency?
2. Prepared Environment - Are the classroom and materials scientifically designed to meet the unique developmental needs of the children at this age?
3. Screen Free Classroom - Are the children learning through hands-on experience? Are they protected from the neurological impact of technological exposure on their developing brains?
4. Individualized Learning - Does every child have their own learning plan? Do they receive one-on-one lessons with a professionally trained teacher?
5. Language Rich-Environment - Do the children learn the correct names for the things they see in the real world around them? For example, are they identifying species snakes and birds or classifying varieties of squash? Or are they reading books about cartoon characters and mythical creatures that they can’t distinguish from reality at this young age?
6. Opportunities to Explore and Experiment - Does the classroom give children freedom to move and discover in a safe way that also allows them to build resilience and confidence through care of self and the environment?
7. Independence and Interdependence - Do adults offer just enough help, giving children the satisfaction of doing things themselves and/or turning to classmates for support when needed?
8. Diversity in Age and Culture - Is the environment multi-age, so that older children reinforce learning and develop empathy, while younger ones learn from their more experienced classmates? Does cultural diversity in the community allow children to appreciate and celebrate differences while experiencing shared humanity?
9. Embodiment of the Mission - Is the administration able to describe how staff “walk the walk” of the school’s mission, in their daily interactions with the children, the families and each other? Is that reinforced by what you observe?
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14000 Ladue Rd.
Chesterfield,
MO 63017
