Toddlers

Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.

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Day-In-The-Life

Every toddler’s day blends discovery, connection, and fun. Teachers guide children through a balance of active exploration and calm moments of care, helping them practice new skills while being seen and supported.

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Morning Activities

Warm Welcomes

Each morning begins with cheerful greetings, hugs, and familiar routines that help toddlers settle and feel secure.

Exploring Learning Centers

Dramatic play, building blocks, and sensory activities that encourage exploration through touch and movement inspire curiosity and creativity. Story and Song Time: Toddlers build language and rhythm through read-alouds, fingerplays, and favorite songs.

Story and Song Time

Toddlers build language and rhythm through read-alouds, fingerplays, and favorite songs.

Everyday Connections

Language in Action

Teachers model new words, phrases, and simple sentences, helping toddlers connect sound to meaning.

Social Confidence

Friendship, empathy, and problem-solving grow through guided play and gentle teacher support.

Parent Partnership

Families receive real-time photos and updates through our Brightwheel app, staying connected to every milestone.

Moments that Matter

Teachers celebrate every new word, tower built, or shared smile with pride and encouragement.

Afternoon Activities

Outdoor Adventures

Playgrounds and buggy walks give children space to run, climb, and explore safely.

Group Play and Sharing

Teachers guide cooperative games that strengthen empathy, patience, and teamwork.

Art and Sensory Discovery

Toddlers create with color, texture, and imagination, building fine motor skills and self-expression.

Quiet Time and Naps

After a busy morning, soft music and dim lights provide comfort and rest before the next round of play.

Program Highlights

Our toddler program blends nurturing care with purposeful learning. Teachers use research-based curriculum and developmental assessments to guide each child’s growth while fostering confidence, curiosity, and independence. Every classroom meets NAEYC-aligned standards for safety, quality, and whole-child development.

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Curriculum Highlights

Creative Curriculum

Through the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, our teachers design meaningful experiences that support active learning and exploration. Observation-based lesson planning helps toddlers learn by doing, fostering independence and problem-solving through guided play.

Language Development

This stage is a leap in communication. Teachers build vocabulary through books, songs, and conversation, helping toddlers connect letters, sounds, and words to real-life objects and experiences. American Sign Language remains part of daily interaction to reinforce understanding.

Monthly Themes

Toddlers learn through meaningful play and exploration. Our monthly themes introduce engaging topics that connect to their world, helping children build language, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Additional experiences like Itsy Bitsy Yoga and additional physical and music activities extend learning through movement, rhythm, and joyful discovery.

Socialization and Confidence

Toddlers learn best in a community. Group play, cooperative activities, and shared tasks help them practice patience, empathy, and kindness while building the social foundations for lifelong learning.

Parent Communication

Through Brightwheel, families receive photos, notes, and developmental updates throughout the day. Teachers also share assessments and hold parent conferences, keeping families actively involved in their child’s progress and growth.