Parent-Tot is a parent/caregiver-accompanied class for kids ages 1 ½ to 2 ½ (by September 1st of the enrolling school year). Children and parents learn together in a supportive and stimulating environment.
Class time includes joyful social interactions, sensory exploration, hands-on learning, and parent education. Parents learn with their children as the teacher models meaningful and age-appropriate activities and skills. This includes the effective use of language, conflict resolution, and learning strategies for our youngest students.
Each week, the teacher shares educational information highlighting a topic of interest for parents of young children. The class structure facilitates open communication between parents and the teacher to support understanding and the implementation of the week’s education topic. The Parent-Tot class encourages the creation of classroom community and lifelong connections and friendships.
Frequency & Days: Once a week, Wednesday or Thursday
Time: 9:15-10:45 a.m.
Staffing & Ratios: 1 teacher and 6 students (each accompanied by a caregiver)
A Day in the Parent-Tot Classroom
Each class starts with a set-up that includes a sensory activity (shaving cream, play dough, dirt, water, etc.), an art experience, and multiple manipulative activities (balls, ramps, pegs, etc). After exploring these activities, there is a short clean-up. Ms. Kristi then leads the class in reading a story together, followed by songs (sometimes with musical instruments).
Next, the children wash their hands for snack time. During snack time, students practice fine motor skills such as drinking from a cup. Snack time is also a wonderful opportunity for adult discussion. We may talk about a developmental topic or something as simple as a well-loved recipe. This is a great time for sharing, listening, and connecting.
After snack time, we head outside or stay in the classroom for big body movement with balls, scarves, instruments, and music. We end our time together with the goodbye song.