Little Ducklings Family Child Care is a licensed Family Child Care home by the State of Maine ~ {since 2001}
Enrollment Capacity: SIX children
INFANTS are encouraged to independently explore their world around them during “tummy” time. This time is crucial in developing and strengthening critical muscles that will help them to continue to grown and learn at a developmentally appropriate pace. Li
stening to soothing and/or rhythmic music, and participating in story time as a curious observer, engage babies brains in development that will lend itself to the child becoming a curious and active learner. Infants are active observers and/or participants in our daily activities:
• Read Aloud Stories
• Creative Movement & Music
• Children’s Yoga
• Fine & Gross Motor Exploration & Play
TODDLERS enjoy all of these same learning and growing experiences as they meet their own unique developmental needs. You will begin to notice these next milestones as they are all a meaningful part of development for your growing child. . . Object Permanence
Object permanence is an important cognitive developmental milestone, which means that your toddler knows that an object still exists even when it is out of sight. Talk, Talk, Talk
Most little ones start babbling "mama" and "dada" by 1 year of age. By 15 months, your toddler probably knows several words and loves using them. Climbing
When your toddler starts climbing on furniture and staircases, you need to upgrade your baby proofing. And try to keep a cool head the first time you see your little one on the verge of a fall. If you panic, you might startle your little one and cause him to stumble. Elaboration of Locomotion
Along with climbing, your toddler will be developing her ability to run and jump. These skills are part of gross motor development, or large muscle functions that control the movements of their growing bodies. Walking Up and Down Stairs
The ability to walk up and down stairs one foot at a time is another gross motor skill. Although your toddler may start climbing up the stairs on all fours as early as 1, the ability to go up and down one foot at a time may not develop until around 20 months of age. Fine Motor Skills
All the smaller, more dexterous movements that involve concentration and hand-eye coordination are fine motor skills. Your child may start mastering these skills with the pincher grasp. Then he may develop the ability to stack two blocks and put one object inside another around 14 months. By 18 months, your child may try scribbling on paper (or whatever else is around) with a crayon. They start working on these skills early and progress with age. Getting Dressed
By 3, toddlers may partially dress themselves. But they are able to take off some of their clothes much earlier than that. Expressing Emotions
At around 18 months, toddlers may feel a sense of frustration that they don't know how to express themselves. Your child will likely resort to tantrums and fits to communicate frustration, which is why “toddlerhood” is frequently referred to as the "terrible twos." You should give them words to describe what they are feeling so they understand that emotions are normal. Along with these negative emotions, your toddler may be able to better express his feelings of love and trust through affection. Eating with a Spoon
When teaching your little one to eat with a spoon, practice is the key. Playing Make Believe
At some point, between ages 2 and 3, your toddler will start playing make believe. As your toddler develops, you'll notice him sitting and keeping busy with one or two favorite toys. EARLY LEARNING & PRESCHOOL EDUCATION is provided to all enrolled children on a daily basis. A developmentally appropriate practice is used to introduce young children to the skills that are necessary to be a successful participants in the world around them, not only as a "learner" of educational concepts but that of a responsible, kind and considerate family AND community member. Our GOAL for children of preschool age is to continue to support developmentally appropriate growth while working to achieve KINDERGARTEN READINESS!
