Tadpoles Program Goals
The Tadpoles Room is a child-friendly environment that inspires play and
learning. We have a variety of age-appropriate toys and games the children
enjoy. The children can interact with each other and explore the different areas
of the classroom:
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Block Area
Book Area
Climbing Area
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Pretend Area
Music Area
Riding Toys
Meals
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We encourage the children to eat with forks and spoons
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Practice sitting at the table and staying in chairs
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Practice not dumping plates and pouring out milk from cups
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Learn to ask for more
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Begin to use “please” and “thank you”
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Help washing hands before and after meals, and throwing away their own
paper towels.
Circle Time
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Begin to sit for a short time as a small group
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Sing our “Good Morning” song and other favorite songs with hand motions
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Read a book or poem with entertaining stories and vivid illustrations,
related to our theme of the week, that captures the children’s attention,
interest and imagination.
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We engage the children in activities that require cooperation and
encourage communication with peers.
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We talk to them during circle, asking them questions to help build their
vocabulary.
Art
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The children produce a variety of artwork that helps develop the child’s
self-expression and fine motor skills.
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We use all kinds of art materials: paper, markers, crayons, brushes,
rollers, a variety of paints, feathers, cotton balls, Play-Doh, sand and much
more.
Lesson Plans
Lesson plans have a wide range of themes that are child-centered, including:
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Learning about their bodies
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Emotions and expressions
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Families
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Colors
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Numbers
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Opposites
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Shapes
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Animals
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Transportation
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Occupations
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Stories
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Songs/Rhymes
Music
We enjoy music daily in order to:
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Develop the children’s love of music
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Encourage movement
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Creative expression
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Rhymes
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Coordination
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Listening skills
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Exploring instruments
Outdoor Activities Using Gross Motor Skills
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Running
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Climbing
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Hopping and jumping
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Sliding
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Throwing, catching and kicking balls
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Practice walking while holding the rope around the playground and the
Center
Social/Emotional
We work on these social/emotional markers daily:
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Learning to share: We use the word “share” when they are struggling over
toys and praise their efforts when they do share
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Use gentle hands and hugs
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At times, biting is an issue in the Tadpoles room. We keep our group
small, and try to get them to use their words instead of screaming, crying
or whining.
Field Trips
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We plan to start taking field trips two times a year (apple picking, fire
station, Discovery Museum or the library)
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We may need parents to drive, or take the Jaunt or Trolley (staff cannot
drive)
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We will need most parents to go with us, but we will give plenty of notice
for our trips.
Transitions
When the children are scheduled to move up to Climbers, we try to prepare them
by:
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Being more independent, doing more for themselves
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Drinking from a cup without the sippy lid
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Introduce the potty to those who are ready or interested
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Practice walking with the rope in the center or playground, staying with the
group, and not touching things.
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Introduce scissors and cutting Play-Doh.
Welcome to our room!
the Tadpoles