Toddlers desire, need independence

Ms. Sara’s toddlers have been painting with autumn colors.

As we settle into the routines and structure of our classroom, it is helpful to remember the importance of independence for toddlers. Independence is a natural desire and crucial for toddlers.

During the toddler years, a child transitions from an infant to a young child with increasingly coordinated movements and conscious discoveries. We can assist this transition by giving toddlers freedom within limits.

In our class, the actions can’t be dangerous, destructive or disrespectful. We allow children the freedom needed to do things for themselves, to make mistakes and to follow their curiosity. Giving this space, helps to build coordination, concentration, order and independence, as well as self-esteem.

Here are a few ways to promote independence in toddlers.

Provide clothes and shoes that are easy for toddlers to get on and off by themselves (elastic waistbands, slip-on or Velcro shoes, etc.).
Have self-care activities available, such as tissues, hand washing, hair brushing, etc.
Have items available to assist with the care of the environment, such as a small stack of towels and a laundry basket nearby.
Encourage children to ask for help in meeting their needs.

A toddler in Ms. Sara’s class works with the counting drop box.

November themes

As fall continues and some Florida trees shed their leaves, our classroom focuses on different aspects of the season. The themes have become colorful leaves, apples, Native Americans, turkeys, food, Thanksgiving, gratitude, squirrels and nuts.

Thank you all for contributing to our Feast Day, the children really enjoyed this special event. We spoke about being grateful for each other and healthy food. We also said a blessing (listed below) and had the “feast snack” as a group instead of “individual” snack, which is four children eating together.

The letter box has focused on “I,” “J” and “K,” with items beginning with these letters. For example, we had an igloo, iguana, insect, instrument, and a picture of an ice cream cone on a card with the letter shown in upper and lower case in the “I” box. We also had actual frozen ice when the letter was presented at group time. The letter “L” will be coming soon.

The number “3” is in the counting drop box with pegs to represent the third month of the school year.

Many of the children love making bracelets almost every day. You may have seen your child come home wearing their handmade bracelet. This is an advanced fine-motor skill requiring hand-eye coordination and a transfer from one hand to the other to slide the bead down, which is an advanced concept.

Red has been the predominant color, with other autumn shades, such as yellow, orange, green and brown. We have had a variety of fall art works, including glueing leaves and apples on a tree, leaf window clings, coloring a turkey and apple painting on a printed sheet. The window clings have been very popular and can be used as a decoration for a window or mirror. There is a sorting and matching work with 12 leaves of four different colors and sizes, which aids pre-math concepts. Various colored leaves are hanging in the room and aid in singing “Pretty Leaves Are Falling Down.”

Songs

Pretty Leaves are Falling Down
(Tune: London Bridge)
Pretty leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down.
Pretty leaves are falling down, all around town.
(Wiggle fingers.)
Let’s rake them up in a pile, in a pile, in a pile.
Let’s rake them up in a pile, all around town.
(Make raking motions.)
Let’s all jump in and have some fun, have some fun, have some fun.
Let’s all jump in and have some fun, all around town.
(Jump into circle.)

Another favorite song is:
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel, swish your bushy tail.
(Sit on your knees and pretend to move your tail from side to side.)
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel, swish your bushy tail.
Crinkle up your little nose. (Crinkle up your nose.)
Put a nut between your toes. (Pretend to place a nut between your knees.)
Brown squirrel, brown squirrel, swish your bushy tail.

Alligator pie
(Start by patting your legs rhythmically, then stop.)
Alligator pie, Alligator pie,
There is nothing I like better than alligator pie.
You can take away the green grass, take away the sky,
But don't take away my alligator pie.
(Substitute favorite foods for alligator.)
(We have a lot of fun with this song, as each child gets to choose a favorite food, especially
when their food may not normally go well with pie!)

(Tune: Frere Jaques)
Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving,
Here it comes (2X)
_________ on the table, (Mention a favorite food.)
_________on the table, (Mention another favorite food.)
Yum, yum, yum (2X)

A turkey is a funny bird.
His head goes wobble, wobble.
And he only says ONE word,
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.

Blessing
Earth who gives to us this food,
Sun that makes it ripe and good,
Dear Earth, Dear Sun,
By you we live,
Our loving thanks to you we give.

Down is the earth, up is the sky.
Here are my friends, and here am I.

Winter Jackets

When the weather turns cold, and coats become part of our daily wear, consider practicing this coat flip with your children. Lay the open jacket on the floor, the inside facing up. Have your child stand by the “hood,” “collar” or “tag.” Those are some clues that are easy to remember.

The child puts a hand in each arm hole and then flips the coat on, over the head, moving the arms up, then spreading them wide.

Coat flips may take some time to teach, but, with a little practice, your child will soon be able to put on his/her coat all by him/herself. See the video demonstration below.