Infant and Toddler Programs - "Learning to Trust"

Infancy is one of the most amazing periods of human growth. In just 24 months, the child grows from a helpless, non-verbal dependant little bundle, into a walking, talking individual who perseveres in expressing a personality of his/her own.

Infant and toddler programs at Little People's Workshop began in May 2002 as the first licensed facility for this age group in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador. The facility earned the title of "Dr. A. T. Brace Infant Centre" named after the founder Beverley Brace's father. Dr. Alec Brace held his Ph.D in Education and thesis research studied cultural effects on the acquisition of math skills in young children.

The Infant program recognizes that one of the child's goals at this level is to see his physical needs met. Infants and toddlers are trying to establish a "sense of trust" and depend on the adults in their life to be responsive to their cues. At the Dr. A. T. Brace Infant Centre, infants and toddlers 0-24 months are assigned a Primary Caregiver. The primary care giver will be responsible for the feeding, changing, napping, programming and parent contact of 3 children. The maximum group size is 6. The child will interact with the other caregiver in the room, as well as the other children. Primary caregiver system has proven to allow children positive secondary attachments and bonding. A sense of trust that is imperative to the development of positive self esteem.

The Dr. A. T. Brace Infant staff work cooperatively with infant's families in all decisions around the well-being of their infants. The staff recognize that the primary and most important attachment the child makes is to his/her parents. Parents are encouraged to visit the center as frequently as their schedule allows.

Orientation periods for infants/toddlers can extend up to one month as the child adjusts to the new caregivers. Programming for infants and toddlers is individualized. Parents interested in this program should be advised to allow a solid time period to begin orientation. Orientations are not charged.

Toddler Program

As children progress from infancy to toddlers, the nature of their curiosity expands with their mobility. Toddlers continue to use sensory experiences, touch, taste, and smell to explore their worlds, but now can climb & run to experience even more.

Toddler programs are normally located in the most secure area of our facilities, furthest away from outside influence and potential perils. Toddlers are given ample opportunity to explore their world in a safe environment. All toys and equipment are age appropriate- large enough to be manipulated with little hands, but too large to be swallowed.

A Toddlers day allows for many sensory experiences through the use of sand, water, play dough and paint, even their lunch.

Additionally, provision is made to allow them to practice their new found gross motor skills by climbing, crawling and even running in child-safe areas. Toddlers get time out in the fresh air daily in their own playground area and also are securely placed for a mid-day nap. Staff ratios remain in place at all times during the day. Naptime is no exception.

Toddlers enjoy their emergent literacy skills through the use of story time, puppetry, flannel board stories, and dramatic play. Toddlers take the lead in their program and our competent staff scurry to keep up with this rapid stage of developmental growth in all areas.