The Daisy classroom is a safe space where children are supported as they transition from infancy to early toddlerhood. This exciting age is filled with many transitions and emerging skills including self-feeding, learning to walk and sleeping less during the day. The Daisy classroom is a dynamic environment that is designed to specifically meet the needs of the children in the class at any given point in time.
The teachers in the Daisy room understand a young child’s needs for attachment to trusted caregivers. Teachers mindfully provide personal interactions that model respect, kindness and empathy towards others in the ways they treat the children. Each child is respected as a capable individual with unique interests and development.
Adults regularly converse with the children and narrate the happenings in the classroom, creating a language-rich environment. Teachers model proper speech and learn to understand each child’s special gestures, signs, and words that they use to communicate their needs. Specific American Sign Language signs are introduced to increase communication during daily care routines such as diapering and feedings.
Outside Time All classrooms spend time outside daily in almost every type of weather. The playground is a place where children can practice safe risk assessment. Learning to maneuver through uneven terrain and climbing are especially important skills that toddlers are driven to practice at this age. For preschool children, learning to swing, walking the balance beam, climbing and getting down from the jungle gym and obstacle courses are excellent ways for children to enhance their gross motor skills. Teachers are there to facilitate safe climbing on various objects and guide children to climb independently instead of placing them at the top or on the ground.
Teachers mindfully provide personal interactions that model respect, kindness and empathy towards others in the ways they treat the children. Each child is respected as a capable individual with unique interests and development.