In this first school experience, our two-year-olds are supported as they separate from their primary caregivers and are encouraged as they form new relationships with their teachers and peers. Children begin to learn to share and take turns with their friends, as teachers model the necessary words and actions. Children also begin caring for the learning environment by helping to put away toys and other materials.
Gross motor skills flourish through daily running, climbing, digging, riding and sliding in the outdoor playground; fine motor skills develop in the playground and indoors, where children exercise their small muscles to manipulate puzzles, tools, construction games, plus sensory materials such as sand, water, and playdough.
Creative expression is developed through pretend play, in daily music and movement activities, and through a variety of visual art making. Rich language development is kindled not only through peer socialization and engaged conversations with teachers, but also through reading stories and singing songs.
Long Ridge Beginners have a gentle, protected beginning as the smallest birds in the nest, with their own distinct classroom and a four-to-one student/teacher ratio. The two-year-olds are also part of the whole school and benefit as such from our subject specialists, all our campus facilities, and interaction with older students who volunteer in their classroom. As 2s programs are a relative rarity, we believe our Beginners program is warm, thoughtful, stimulating, and just right.
The program is available to toddlers who are two years old by August 31 and, therefore, eligible for nursery school the following year. We offer a two-day or three-day schedule that meets from 9:00 am until 11:45 am.