Daily Schedule

I  worked with an Early Care and Education Coach in the summer of 2016. Her team based on my current schedule at the time has recommended the new schedule below and that I supplement other activities such as art, sensory and more to meet the educational goals of the children keeping them short. The children love it and I do too!

~ Daily Schedule ~ 

7:00 Arrival, Play & Learning Choice
9:00 Breakfast
9:30 Circle Time
9:45  Outdoor Active Play 
10:45 Play & Learning Choice 
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Story Time
1:00 Rest & Quiet Choice
3:00 Snack
3:30 Play & Learning Choice
4:30 Outdoor Active
5:30 Play & Learning Choice, Clean up, Departure, Close

15 minutes in-between each activity we may: clean up, wash hands if necessary, do diaper checks, potty train, wash hands again, get drinks of water and for those eating growth spurts a little snack to hold us over & set up for next activity.

~ INFANT  ACTIVITIES ~

The best activity is infant tummy time activities. These activities are concerned with putting your  infant on his of her bellies. They develop upper body strength, head control and arm movement  through these activities. These are often considered as essential milestones in the growth and  development of infants.

Using many colored toys, special mats and cushions available for tummy time activities. Also adding more fun to these activities by using rattles, rings and music.

Changing toys and mats from time to time because infants get tired of seeing the same toys every time. You can replace old toys with colorful dolls, and mats to keep the activity fascinating and interesting.

Holding and singing to young babies. Even when babies are able to hold their own bottle, they should be held. Being cuddled frequently assists to build the child's self-worth, security, and tactile system.

Rocking, swaying, and swinging baby gently to help them develop a sense of movement and balance (vestibular system).

Talking to the infant and echo their babble. They may not be able to understand you now, but will learn words for the foundation of their speech later on.

Taking the infant play activities outside on nice days.

Explaining to them what you are doing throughout the day when I change them or feed them.  Babies feel secure when their cries are responded to. When you provide them with the sense  of security, they are willing to explore and try new things.

Playing different kinds of music such as classical, soft rock, and children's folk music.

Giving them soft toys (a stuffed animal or soft rattle) to hold, grasp, and feel. Giving babies toys they can make noise with.

Providing the baby to experience various smells. This may include lemon, vanilla, apple juice,  or natural smells such as grass or flowers.

Having a clean space for babies to crawl. Putting bright toys near them so they can reach out for them or move toward them. Spending too much time in various child devices can delay gross motor milestones since they have not had the experience to develop their muscles and learn earlier skills.

Reading books aloud to them that have bright colorful pages. They will respond to the rhythm in your voice. Over time they will comprehend that these words have meanings and be able to identify objects.

Babies want to experience everything up close and personal, and he/she does that through all  five senses, particularly the sense of touch. Encouraging her/his curiosity and tactile talents  with a soothing touch.

Using a variety of soft-textured items, such as a silk scarf, a clean feather or boa, a piece of  satin or velvet, and something furry like a stuffed animal, describing the sensation as I go. "Feel  the silky scarf? It's very slippery. Feel the lamb? It's fuzzy, isn't it?" When he/she's older they'll  try to grab the items going ahead and let him/her hold them, (making sure they're clean and  don't pose a choking concern) even put them in his/her mouth if appropriate.

Skills developed: hand-eye coordination, touch sensitivity

Letting the child practice with a spoon between 4-12 months. It will be messy, and they may not  know what to do with it, but they need the practice. Allowing baby to play with different food texture's. 

All infants are put down to sleep on their backs, in the manner recommended by the SIDS Alliance and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Studies have shown that placing babies on their backs to sleep has reduced the number of SIDS cases by as much as half.