Fine motor skills can be defined as small muscle movements: those that occur in the finger, in coordination with the eyes. They won’t develop over-night, but with time and practice. Fine motor skills involve the small muscles of the body that enable such functions as writing, grasping small objects, and fastening clothing. They involve strength, fine motor control, and dexterity. These skills are important in most school activities as well as in life in general. Weaknesses in fine motor skills can affect a child’s ability to eat, write legibly, turn pages in a book, and perform personal care tasks such as dressing. Fine motor skills are a main focus in our toddler and early 3’s programs and on into the preschool and PreK programs.
Dramatic Play is a cornerstone to a Toddler/Early 3’s classroom. This is where you’ll find most of the children throughout their day. It is a core experience where the children begin to use language with their teachers and their peers. Other things that children learn at the dramatic play area include decision-making skills, cooperation and problem solving skills, social skills, self-expression, imaginative thinking skills, role-playing skills.
Prewriting skills are critical for students to become successful writers in the future. Here at Tots, we include a writing center within the classroom for the students to build the skills needed for future success. Some of the things that children will be learning while they visit the writing center are: letter formation skills, a sense of left-to-right, associations between letters and sounds, communication skills, self-expression, creativity, fine motor skills.
Children LOVE art, and while it is a fun and a memorable activity, children are learning many skills to help them prepare for future learning. Some of the things that they are learning while they are taking part in an art experience are pre-writing skills, planning skills, color and shape recognition, concepts of symmetry, sensory awareness, creativity and self-expression, a sense of accomplishment. But most of all…it is FUN!
We are collecting gently used shoes this week to share with the Soles4Souls shoe foundation. These shoes will be distributed by the foundation all over the world to children and families who aren’t able to provide shoes for themselves or their families. This doesn’t cost you thing, just a trip to the back of your closet.
Young children need opportunities to develop their bodies and coordination by running, jumping, climbing, lifting, pushing, and pulling. Physiological readiness precedes other learning. The playground is a natural place for physical development as well as for social and emotional development. You children need challenging playground experiences to develop early self-confidence along with large-muscle skills and coordination.
Creative Tots has specialized in the private education of both toddlers and preschool age children for over 15 years. We began in the heart of Madeira and now also have a new Mason location. We are specifically designed to focus on early childhood development for children ages 18 months to 5 years.
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