Infant and Toddler Overview

Columbia Academy’s approach to our Infant and Toddler curriculum is based on a learning plan for meeting the emotional, physical, social, and cognitive needs of children, using developmentally appropriate practices in a supportive and nurturing environment. The room set up, the songs we sing, the gestures we use, and in fact, everything we do is a part of an infant and toddler curriculum. In order to successfully meet the needs of the children we utilize Active Learning for Infants and Active Learning for Ones in the Infant and Toddler classrooms. These tools help the teacher direct and implement plans that will promote and foster each child’s individual development. We also provide the classes with a series of books to use with the Story Stretchers for Infants and Toddlers curriculum.

A curriculum is a plan for learning. In the past, curriculum meant academics, the three R’s and book learning. This limited approach leaves out the youngest citizens, infants and toddlers. Common thought was, as long as babies were clean, dry, fed, dressed, and of course, loved, they were getting everything they need. These things are important; important because infants and toddlers are learning through activities. So when you are changing a diaper, feeding and playing with a baby, it is how we do it that changes the experience from something happening to them versus learning from the activity. A curriculum changes “happening” to “learning”.

Learning during the first years of an infant and toddlers life is more critical than ever. Recent research in brain development makes these links clear. We have developed a curriculum that supports infant and toddler learning, supports changing families, and supports the teachers implementing the program.

Our trained teachers guide the infants and toddlers through experiences that enrich their daily activities and promote healthy brain development. Our teachers remain with infants and toddlers through the first two years of their life. The children transition into new classrooms throughout the years, yet with the same teachers. This method allows the transitions to be smooth and comforting for each child, as they are moving with a caregiver that is familiar to them and creates a nurturing and safe environment for them to explore new opportunities.

What Infants and Toddlers are learning throughout their day!

When Infants and Toddlers are being fed and diapered, they are learning…

Basic trust, which grows into a feeling of security as their needs are being met.
To understand language while caregivers tell them all about what is being done.
The different parts of the body as their caregiver talks with them.
That they are unique as the caregiver nurtures them, one at a time.

When Infants and Toddlers are free to explore, they are learning…

That a safe and open environment is more conducive to learning.
Through their senses they may investigate every aspect of an interesting object.
Senses of pride as their accomplishments are encouraged.
Cause and effect by exploring the mechanisms of the materials provided in the classroom.
That their caregivers are always close by and there to interact with them.

When Infants and Toddlers are involved in music and movement, they are learning…

That singing the words to a familiar song is a way to learn sequencing.
To move their bodies in different ways to help develop their gross motor skills.
That repetition through songs and play gives them a predictable environment.
Hand-eye coordination, when they learn the motions to favorite finger plays.
How to use language in ways that rhyme, begin with letters of the alphabet, or make funny animal sounds.

When Infants and Toddlers are experiencing the sensory table, they are learning…

Math skill by measuring and pouring.
To explore different textures using materials like oatmeal, rice, water, and goop.
To develop problem solving skills.
To develop hand-eye coordination though touch and play.
To encourage relationships through parallel play.