
Toddlers
12 months – 24 months
Research shows toddlers learn best through play, which is why our toddler program incorporates plenty of playtime throughout the day. Every experience in the classroom is a potential learning experience, and every ‘play’ center in our classroom is actually an opportunity for learning and development.
We encourage our toddlers to spend time interacting with others and learning through music and dance. We have dedicated meal times, nap times, and time outside.
Language development is extremely important at this age, as your toddler’s vocabulary and knowledge base is growing. At BBMA, we encourage children to engage in conversation with their friends and teachers during play and learning experiences. While you’re at work, your toddler will learn Baby Signs (American Sign Language), and build their vocabulary both verbally and nonverbally, allowing them to communicate their needs and express themselves. Our toddlers also participate in weekly Spanish classes.
In addition to personal care and routines, toddlers spend time:
- Participating in “Circle Time,” including morning greeting rituals and songs, music and movement, reading, and partaking in curriculum experiences
- Participating in “Center Time,” through activities like “Block Center” (soft blocks, cars and trucks), “Cozy Center” (books, puppets, soft toys), “Dramatic Play Center” (dolls, pretend food, dress up), and “Manipulative Center” (stacking blocks, puzzles, large stringing beads)
- Using simple signs, learning to communicate to get their needs met
- Engaging in curriculum experiences to promote physical, social, emotional and cognitive development
- Cleaning up after a day of play using labeled bins as a guide, learning to classify and organize, which are important pre-reading and math skills
- Engaging in mealtime, learning age-appropriate social/emotional, math, science, language and communication skills during this key social experience

Age-appropriate learning

Interactive learning
We encourage learning through music, art, physical activity and sensory play.

Toddler development
In addition to creative learning, we focus on developmental skills such as potty training.