INFANTS & TODDLERS
Milestones recognizes that the first three years of a child’s life are an extraordinary time to set the stage for the future. From birth, babies are spectacular learners, immediately investigating the sights, sounds, and sensations of the world around them. Infants and toddlers need an environment that is safe and rich with opportunities to explore and enjoy: to see, hear, feel, touch, and move. Each day infants and toddlers experience activities that encourage and foster healthy development.
Infants • 6 weeks – 15 months
Planned infant activities might involve moving an interesting toy in the child’s line of sight to encourage visual tracking, or a game of “peek-a-boo” to help the infant develop the concept of object permanence. The infant activities provide a strong foundation for later activities the child will experience.
Toddlers • 15 months – 2 ½ Years
Toddlers become involved, on a simplified basis, in activities including art, dramatic play, music, literacy and language, large and small motor development, math and science.
An example of a planned toddler activity could involve learning to sort objects or stack blocks. These activities are introduced and practiced on a casual basis without putting stress on the child. Toddler activities are stepping stones to more complex activities. Learning activities are individualized to each child’s ability and phase of development. Lesson plans and the daily schedule are flexible in the younger-aged classroom depending on the interests of the children each day.
PRESCHOOL
The preschool rooms utilize the project approach. A project is an in-depth study of a topic or theme. A topic is selected because it is of interest or it is meaningful to the children and their life. The children will go into great depth and often at a level higher than many adults would expect for the age of the child. The teacher integrates content knowledge like math, reading and science into the project.
Jr. Preschool • 2 ½ – 3 ½ Years
The Jr. Preschool classroom focuses on self-help skills such as using the toilet, putting on one’s coat & shoes, pro-social skills- taking turns & problem solving, self-regulation and manners. The teachers work to promote healthy habits in the children and taking care of one’s body by creating healthy snacks and doing yoga.
Preschool • 3 ½ – 5 Years
The Preschool classroom focuses on school-readiness skills such as hand-raising, writing one’s own name, letter & number recognition and basic pre-math skills. An understanding of a daily schedule becomes more evident as teachers routinely provide activities so children can learn basic concepts of time and sequence. The teachers work to promote healthy habits and their effect on one’ self and the environment.
SCHOOL AGE
6 – 12 Years
Before & After School Program
Teachers promote a safe and nurturing environment for school age children during the school year. They provide homework help and the school agers participate in a reading program.
Summer Program
Milestones’ summer program works to maintain grade level achievement throughout the summer months. The teachers focus each week of the summer on a community project or college based career. The students go on field trips and host speakers at the center to learn hands-on about each week’s topic.
The students work on character building, teamwork, citizenship and self-esteem as well as participate in work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills.
The students participate in the summer reading program through the Bloomington Public Library.
