Hippos (Toddlers)

In the Hippos class, we believe in nurturing curiosity through exploration. Our goal is to foster essential growth, meet the needs of all learners, and embrace the joy of learning each day. Teachers immerse Hippos in a language-rich environment essential for developing both receptive and expressive language skills. Teachers offer activities that support cause-and-effect relationships and problem solving to develop foundational skills for lifelong learning. Teachers plan fun physical challenges, action songs, and games that will build coordination, balance, and muscle strength. Hippos will develop both gross motor and fine motor skills as they squeeze, tear, roll, toss, catch, hug, hop, twist, run, and much more. Teachers place a special emphasis on social emotional development because learning best evolves through relationships and responsive care giving. Toddlers will build confidence, learn impulse control, and develop social skills while caregivers build trusting relationships with them through one-on-one, partner, and small-group interactions.  According to Becky Bailey, PhD, “Self regulation is the key to school readiness and more powerful than IQ as a predictor of academic achievement.”

Teachers maintain open communication with parents at drop off/pick-up time and provide a daily note giving the parent a report about their child's day.