Our 2s program is designed to help children transition from the sensory motor world to an increasingly social world. Children learn by exploring the materials, ideas, and people in the world around them as they build a sense of themselves as individuals and as members of a group. With an emphasis on social-emotional development and problem-solving skills, Big and Tiny’s curriculum helps children build a sense of self, discover their role within a classroom community, and recognize and appreciate our differences.
Program Objectives
An immersive learning experience
Our 2s program helps your child transition from the familiar world of home to a new community of learning, teachers, and friends in a safe and caring environment. Using inquiry-based learning, students build their comprehension, critical thinking, and communication skills. As your child’s language is increasing, your toddler is beginning to form mental images for things, actions, and concepts.
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Increasing solving problem abilities, performing mental trial-and-error instead of having to manipulate objects physically
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Understanding the relationships between ideas, to grasp the process of cause and effect and to improve their analytical skills
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Observing, questioning, and investigating certain topics and concepts
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Matching shapes, comparing, sorting, and organizing skills
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Recognizing the impact of their words and actions
Cognitive Development
Our goal is to help children in the 2s program solve problems and learn fundamental concepts. Through open-ended questions and visual thinking strategies, children will grow their vocabulary and start putting together simple sentences and develop conversational skills.
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Using language to solve problems and express their emotions
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Growing their vocabulary as they start to put short sentences together
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Asking questions
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Responding to directed group discussions using visual thinking strategies
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Following simple instructions and rules
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Following and adjusting to daily routines
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Start recognizing letters and some words
Language
& Communication
Social-Emotional
Growth
Teachers at the 2s program provide young learners a sense of comfort, safety, confidence, and encouragement. They teach toddlers how to form friendships, communicate emotions, and deal with challenges. Building strong, positive relationships also helps children develop trust, empathy, compassion, and a sense of right and wrong.
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Learning to share, take turns, resolve conflicts, and experience the joy of friendship
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Showing affection, empathy, and a wide range of emotions and understanding the feeling of others
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Engaging in pretend and imaginative play that helps them build language and social skills
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Developing autonomy and independence as they continue to explore their interests
Cognitive Development
Fine & Gross Motor
Skill Development
As the 2-year-olds are just beginning to have better control over their hand and finger movements, your toddler's artwork is also drastically improving. Your child’s muscles begin to develop, which improves their climbing and running skills as well. At Big and Tiny, we provide age-appropriate equipment and activities for them to fully develop this new skills in a safe and fun environment.
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Jumping, running, walking backwards and balancing
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Climb up and go down of the slide in the play structure
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Pedaling tricycles and ride on cars
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Manipulating a wide range of supplies and materials to create art projects such as crayons, beads, scissors
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Developing more independence in their daily activities such as using a fork, washing hands, potty training, dressing up and cleaning up
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Stacking toys and solving puzzles
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Drawing more defined marks, including circles and lines that are horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or curved
A day for the Twos
Arrival
When children first arrive at Big and Tiny, they store their belongings in their cubby, remove their shoes, say goodbye to their grown-ups for the day and greet their friends. Practicing this transition from home to school everyday helps your little one discover the excitement of healthy independence.
Meetings
Children gather as a whole group and review the calendar and plans for the day. This includes the job list with the responsibilities for the day. During meetings children share ideas, practice listening and taking turns. Community time often incorporates movement, songs and social-emotional practice games to help understanding the emotions of others.
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Work Time
Inspired by Reggio Emilia learning practices, students collaborate in small groups and independently on projects that are inspired by their interests. They are encouraged to explore the classroom materials, ask questions, solve problems and notice sensory details like sounds, shapes and textures. It is a time for self-discovery where they begin to learn more about what intrigues them, develop new skills, and accomplish goals. During work time, children are given the opportunity to engage in language, sensorial, math, practical life skills art, and science projects.
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Studio Classes and Art Lab
During studio classes, children engage in multiple specialty classes and enriching experiences to will help develop new skills. These include art, music & movement, science, yoga and library.
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Art is one of the many ways children express themselves and communicate their feelings. Every day children engage and experiment with different art forms and materials. We provide open-ended art activities that help children explore and use their creativity.
Music and movement classes are offered weekly for children to develop forging connections between their brain and their mind, body, and emotions and allows them to learn sounds and meaning of words.
Life Skills
Many practical life activities are incorporated throughout the day to allow the children to understand the world around them. They learn a routine and procedure that is consistent and can be followed at home, too.
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Early Literacy
Through Interactive story time, students are exposed to rich language and literacy experiences every day. These books are selected according to the topics that the children are working on. Children will become familiar with books and rhymes, repeating words and phrases from different stories, helping them grow their vocabulary and sentences. Curiosity is developed in the classroom through both teacher-planned and child-led activities. The children begin to incorporate letters, words, symbols and numbers into their own work. Children visit the local library regularly where they listen to new adventures, choose their own books and develop the love for literacy.
Mathematics
Math provocations are intentionally designed by the teachers during work time. They are usually based on student's interest and linked to the curriculum. These open ended activities allow children to investigate, explore and practice mathematical concepts and thinking.
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Gross Motor
Children develop large motor functions through group games, gym activities, outdoor play, dancing, and yoga.
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Nature & Community walks
Children engage in outdoor activities on a daily basis. Community walks around the neighborhood and Rockefeller Park provide students an opportunity to connect with nature in a deeper level and learn more about their surroundings.
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Lunch & Snack
We provide healthy and organic lunch as snacks courtesy of little spoons.
Nap and rest
Learning and playing can be exhausting! Big and Tiny knows how important sleeping is for a young child’s growth, and development.
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Dismissal
Group gathering to reflect on their work and possibilities for the next day. Time to share connections, questions and ideas.To transition to go home at the close of the day, children work together to tidy up, change their shoes, gather their belongings and say goodbye. Children are encouraged to share their various projects from the day with their grown-ups.
