Toddler Preschool - Expectations and Abilities

The single most important thing to remember if you have a toddler preschool setting is that Play is never frivolous.  It is THE most effective way a toddler learns; it is essential. The best part is that PLAY can be enhanced.  This is where you, the preschool teacher, provide the opportunities to turn play into the best learning environment possible. 

Expectations

The term, toddler, covers a wide age range and ability range.  I define toddler as between 18 and 30 months of age. My time with toddlers is governed by the following facts:

1.  Hands-on experiences are the best and why I prefer play to "worksheets".

2.  Toddlers have emotions similar to adult emotions but their thought processes are quite different.  Meet them on their level.

3.  Toddlers emotions are close to the surface.  I compare them to a light switch--one minute happy and the next sad.  They can go from calm to agitated in seconds. 

4.  Patience is the most important word I use to describe how to deal with toddlers.  Stay calm and help them to learn of their own abilities to deal with their feelings.

5.  Toddlers will play-with us or without us.  It is our role to enhance the play when it is supportive and to intervene or change the situation if it appears too difficult and exceeds their abilities.

6.  Toddlers can't see things or understand things "from another person's point of view". They are busy establishing their autonomy.

Keep these in mind when you are planning your activities and your days with your two year olds will flow and be rewarding for them and for you.

Abilities

Toddlers need to have playmates around.  Even though they may not play with another person at this age, they are always paying attention to what is going on around them and what their peers are doing. They are learning how to be independent.  They are learning that they have power to do things or not do things.  Allow them to experience this and the consequences of their actions.  **Note: this helps to explain why SHARING is often difficult.  If they are establishing their own sense of self it is hard for them to share with another.  This is a gradual process and improves closer to three years of age or older.

These are all tips that help me with the toddler age. Remembering that they may not be able to play with but play next to, that they may not be able to share at this time but can take guidance on social interaction are concepts that  will make your  toddler preschool planning successful. 

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