Teddy Bear Junction provides
child-centered classrooms designed to balance child-directed and
teacher-directed activities. This provides an atmosphere of play which
develops multiple skills and abilities for each child.
INTRODUCTORY PRESCHOOL - 2 YEAR OLD
Two year olds have reached a major milestone and have written their own
declarations of independence. Allowing them to practice decision
making skills in our learning center classroom helps them to channel
some of that independence. Eight children and two teachers work at
learning appropriate classroom behavior in a group setting. Social
development means learning to work and play in a group, as well as
learning to build personal relationships with adults and other children.
Heavy emphasis is placed on building communication skills, especially
the language of taking turns and sharing. Children are provided
ample time for free play. They may move freely from center to
center. A home living center promotes dramatic play, while puzzles
and other skill building activities are available on the manipulative
tables. Art projects allow the child to explore various media as
well as to begin learning techniques for using scissors or glue.
Blocks encourage cooperative play, and a book corner allows a quiet
moment. Teachers provide a variety of activities for children and
encourage, but do not require, them to participate. By the end of
the year, most of the group will be enjoying a story, song, or finger
play at circle time. Materials and activities are organized into
units of study so that the children can begin to focus their attention
on concepts such as colors, shapes, animals, holidays, seasons,
families, community helpers, etc. A midmorning snack of juice and
crackers or cookies is provided, but a lunch and a non-carbonated
beverage come from home on long days. We regret that we have
neither the refrigeration nor cooking facilities. When the weather
is pleasant, the children use the playground for half an hour of outdoor
play. If the weather is too hot, too cold, or too wet, they are
able to play in our Fellowship Hall. After lunch, licensing
standards require that children be given a rest time. Children are
not required to nap, but must rest quietly to allow teachers to help
settle the rest of the class. Teachers are eager to work with
parents and children to make separation easier and to make each child
feel comfortable as soon as possible.
Because the children who attend
only once a week take a little longer to feel comfortable in a classroom
environment, the Friday only class is best suited for children who have
had previous pleasant experiences in a group setting. Parents of
first timers may prefer to choose a class that meets two or three times
a week.
