Built for Busy Bodies & Curious Minds
Toddlerhood is full of discovery.
Toddlers are learning how their bodies work, discovering that they can make choices, developing language, testing boundaries, forming relationships, and realizing that they have some pretty strong opinions about the world around them.
At Explore More, we believe toddlers need opportunities to move, explore, experiment, communicate, make choices, and practice independence within a safe and supportive environment.
And they need adults who understand that all of that growth sometimes comes with some very big feelings.
Learning by Doing
Toddlers aren’t designed to sit still for long periods of time.
They learn by touching, carrying, dumping, filling, climbing, building, knocking things over, asking questions, repeating things again and again, and experimenting to see what happens.
Our toddler classroom provides opportunities for:
Sensory and messy play
Art and creative experiences
Books, songs, and language
Building and construction
Pretend play
Fine motor exploration
Gross motor movement
Outdoor experiences
Problem solving
Social interaction
Plenty of repetition
What may look simple to an adult can involve an incredible amount of learning for a toddler.
Growing Independence
“I do it!”
Toddlerhood is often the beginning of a strong desire for independence.
Whenever it’s developmentally appropriate, we give children opportunities to participate in their own care, make choices, attempt tasks independently, and practice everyday skills.
That might mean trying to put on a shoe, cleaning up a spill, choosing between two activities, washing their hands, feeding themselves, helping clean up, or trying something before asking an adult for help.
It won’t always be fast.
It definitely won’t always be neat.
But learning to do things independently takes practice.
Big Feelings Need Support
Toddlers experience enormous emotions while still developing the language and regulation skills needed to manage them.
Tantrums, frustrations, crying, grabbing, difficulty sharing, and other challenging moments can all be part of typical toddler development.
We don’t expect toddlers to manage those moments like older children.
Our teachers provide boundaries, redirection, comfort, language, modeling, and support while helping children gradually develop the skills they need to communicate and navigate relationships.
Behavior is communication, and our job is to help children develop better ways to communicate what they need.
Relationships With Other Children
Toddlers are beginning to notice one another in new ways.
They’re learning how to play near each other, interact, communicate, wait, take turns, navigate disagreements, and eventually begin building friendships.
These skills don’t appear overnight.
Teachers stay nearby to model language, support interactions, establish safe boundaries, and help children work through conflicts as they learn how to be part of a group.
Meals & Rest
Predictable routines help toddlers feel secure.
Meals, snacks, diapering or toileting, rest, transitions, indoor play, and outdoor experiences create a general rhythm to the day while still allowing flexibility for the needs of the children.
Toddlers are provided a daily rest period and opportunities for quieter activities as appropriate.
Families receive additional information about meals, rest, and classroom routines during enrollment.
Toileting & Diapering
Children develop toileting readiness at different times.
We don’t believe toilet learning should become a race or a source of shame or pressure.
When children begin showing readiness, our teachers work withf amilies to support the process as consistently as possible between home and child care.
Children who are still in diapers receive routine checks and changes throughout the day and whenever needed.
Outdoor Play & Movement
Toddlers need to move.
Running, climbing, pushing, pulling, balancing, carrying, digging, and exploring help children develop strength, coordination, confidence, and awareness of their bodies.
Outdoor experiences and active movement are important parts of our program whenever conditions allow.
Families should send children prepared to play, move, explore, and occasionally get dirty.
That’s part of childhood here.
Staying Connected With Families
Families know their children best, and communication helps us provide better care.
Explore More uses Brightwheel for family communication and classroom updates.
We encourage families to share information that may affect their child’s day, including changes in sleep, routines, eating, toileting, behavior, or major changes happening at home.
Likewise, we’ll communicate with you about your child’s experiences, needs, and development at Explore More.
What Should My Toddler Bring?
Individual needs vary, but families should generally plan to provide:
Diapers and wipes, if needed
Multiple changes of clothing
Weather-appropriate outdoor clothing
Appropriate footwear
Rest time items permitted by program policy
Any other individualized supplies requested by the program
Please label your child’s belongings. And because toddlers are very good at finding water, paint, mud, food, and mysterious substances that somehow end up on their clothes, send clothing that you’re comfortable with them actually playing in.
Let Them Explore
Toddlerhood can be messy, loud, emotional, hilarious, exhausting, and incredibly exciting.
Children are discovering that they’re separate people with their own ideas, abilities, preferences, and voices.
Our goal isn’t to rush them through that stage. It’s to give them a safe place to experience it.
Interested in Toddler Care?
Toddler availability varies throughout the year. Visit our Enrollment section for information about availability, tuition, and applying for care.