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Toddler Schedule Example

*Please note, this is an example and can be modified and individualized for your child and situation. This is meant as a starting point.

You will notice that there is time allotted throughout the day for transitions.

Transitions are opportunities for learning and for self-help skills to develop, especially in the early years.

Mindful transitioning can also help in avoiding battles. 

Read more about Toddlers and Transitions in this article from parents.com:

"Easing a Toddler's Daily Transitions"

How to avoid a battle when it's time to change activities.

8:30am-9:15am - Morning Arrival

9:15am-9:30am Transition from morning arrival to Morning Snack

9:30am-10am Morning Snack

  • Wash Hands before snack

  • Meal and snack time are seen as valuable opportunities to socialize, develop language and promote self- help skills

    • "Mealtime Conversations: Vocalizing and Listening"(Center for Early Literacy Learning )

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After Morning Snack: Checking/Changing Diapers/ Wash Hands 

10am-10:15am Transition to morning meeting/"circle time"

10:15am-10:20am - Morning Meeting or "Circle Time"

  • Choose the same spot in your home for daily meetings.

  • Morning meeting is a time when you can read a book/ sing a song/ stretch, check the weather​​

10:20am-10:30am Transition from morning meeting to outside time

10:30am-11:30am - Outside time

  • Outside play when possible.

  • Putting on jackets, shoes, etc. 

  • When outside play is not possible provide opportunities for children to use their large "gross" motor skills (i.e.- jumping, dancing, yoga)

  • Outdoor Activities for Infants from zerotothree.org 

11:30am-11:40am Transition from outside time to Morning Exploration and Play

11:40am-12:10pm - Morning Exploration & Play 

  • Young children's work is to explore and learn through play.

  • Provide 3-4 activities for children to explore in this time

    • think about adding something to extend exploration of earlier activity(ies)

  • Try to choose activities that focus on different Domains of Development in order to foster well rounded learning experiences. See the "Activities" tab for activity ideas across domains.

  • Activities for Infants from zerotothree.org

12:10pm-12:20pm Transition from morning exploration and play to lunchtime 

12:20:pm-1pm Lunch Time

  • Wash hands first

  • Meal and snack time are seen as valuable opportunities to socialize, develop language and promote self- help skills

    • "Mealtime Conversations: Vocalizing and Listening"(Center for Early Literacy Learning )

1pm-3pm - Nap Time

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After Nap: Quiet Activity coming out of nap/ Checking/Changing

                    Diapers/ Wash Hands 

3pm-3:10pm Transition from nap time to afternoon meeting/"circle time"

3:10pm-3:20pm - Afternoon Meeting or "Circle Time"

3:20pm-3:40pm Afternoon Snack

  • Wash Hands before snack

  • Meal and snack time are seen as valuable opportunities to socialize, develop language and promote self- help skills

    • "Mealtime Conversations: Vocalizing and Listening"(Center for Early Literacy Learning )

3:40pm-3:45pm Transition from afternoon snack to outside time  

3:45pm-4:45pm - Outside time

  • Outside play when possible.

  • Putting on jackets, shoes, etc. 

  • When outside play is not possible provide opportunities for children to use their large "gross" motor skills (i.e.- jumping, dancing, yoga)

  • Outdoor Activities for Infants from zerotothree.org 

4:45pm-5pm - Closing Meeting
 

  • Closing meeting is a time to say "goodbye" to the school day and move into your regular evening routine. A goodbye song can help children transition smoothly into their evening. 

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