Hello Toddler Families!
As we wind down our school year and prepare for summer, we wanted to take this opportunity to give you and your toddlers some summer “homework!” Here are a few things that we have worked on in the classroom and shared with you in Peeks throughout the year. In order for your child to continue to grow over the summer and either be ready to join 3-6 or have a great transition back to the toddler classroom, working on these areas will really help with those transitions.
The first area is toileting. No matter where your toddler is in the process, if you continue to work on these skills over the summer, they will be more successful in the classroom in the fall. If your child has not mastered toileting, this just means continuing to let them explore the toilet during diaper changes, before and after bath time and when you, yourself use the bathroom. Continue to allow your children the opportunities to dress and undress themselves whenever possible. We use the language, “push down your pants,” if you want to use the same language. If your child has mastered toileting, allow them to use the toilet in different environments, and continue to practice making sure the pee ends up in the toilet! This is especially important for the boys, and we remind them to make sure their penis is pointing down in the toilet before they start to go. Give them plenty of reminders about wiping and start to teach them how to wipe after a bowel movement as well.
Next up, taking care of the environment. There are so many opportunities to practice this at home, from cleaning up their own space after mealtimes, helping to wash and dry dishes, to helping to fold laundry, there are so many opportunities to practice caring for their environment at home. We encourage the children to help clean up spills and sweep up the floor if they drop food. We have child sized brooms, dustpans, and rags for little hands so that they can use real tools that work well for their bodies. They can help water plants, work in the garden, or pull weeds. One of the most important things you can remind them of is cleaning up their own work or toys when they are finished. This helps us so much in the classroom and will make your lives easier as well!
Finally, working on fine and gross motor skills: Fine motor skills include opening and closing jars, snaps, zippers, etc. Coloring and painting are great practice as well as play doh and clay. Wooden clothespins for them to practice opening and placing on the edge of a container is great for the pincer grasp. Using rubber bands or hair scrunchies are a great way to practice getting shoes and socks on and off. Gross motor skills are so easy in the summertime. All those fun outdoor activities such as playing on ride-on toys, going to the park or playground, walking in the woods, etc. Climbing, running, and jumping in and out of the pool are more ways to work on these skills.
We have loved the opportunity to get to know your children over the school year and see all the fun and new skills they have learned. Take the time this summer to really watch and observe your children, see all the amazing things they are doing and all the ways they have grown and changed over the past 9 months! We know there will be so much more blossoming for them over the summer, and we can’t wait to help them reach new goals next year.
With Love,
Morahs Megan, Sarah, and K