Welcome to the Playful Pandas’ Room!

We are looking forward to an exciting and busy year with your toddler. Communication between parents and teachers is the key to a successful experience for your child at MudPies.  The PARENT HANDBOOK you received upon enrolling will provide you with a review of the general policies and procedures at our center.  In addition, this note contains special information to help you understand our classroom. Referring to both, as well as meeting with us to discuss any concerns, will help ease the transition for your family to our classroom.

Our main objective is to provide a positive atmosphere in which your child can grow physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally.  Learning experiences appropriate for the developmental age of our group are provided daily.  A Weekly Activity Plan and a Daily Schedule are posted in our classroom for your review.  Notes on the dry erase board outside the classroom door will describe the day’s activities.  These notes can be helpful during your drive home in initiating a discussion of the day’s events with your older toddler and young two-year old.

Everyday the teachers will record your child’s activities on a Daily Report. Meal times, Bathroom times, and naptime will be listed on the report. Please make sure you take the report home daily. Caregivers will contact you verbally or through personal notes whenever the need arises.

Older toddlers and young twos are ready for many new learning experiences.  Language is developing rapidly so we stress name recognition and enunciation as we read, sing, talk and learn about colors and shapes.  Children become social as we learn to love one another and cooperate by taking turns, sharing and playing together.  Children learn control of their bodies as they perform some activities in seats during arts, crafts and manipulative projects.  They love to use their gross motor skills as they climb, jump and slide on the playground.  Most importantly, we play.  Play is our best training for becoming independent!

To alleviate the problems presented when children bring toys to the center (broken toys, disagreement over ownership, lost items); we ask that toys not be brought unless for a special activity.

Our lunchtime is at 11:30.  The children are put down on their mats between 12:00 & 12:30 and we get up at 2:15.

Older toddlers and twos are learning to use their bodies and may still get messy when they eat, paint, glue, play outside or have an accident.  We ask for your understanding during the growth period.  Please dress your child in clothes which allow for self-dressing.  Older toddlers and twos want to “do it themselves!”  We ask that you leave TWO SEASONAL changes of clothes (shirt, pants and socks) for your child at the center.  This is a state law and required in all rooms.

Part of the learning process is in learning responsibility.  We encourage children to put away materials and toys when they finish with them.  You can help by encouraging the same at home.

When your child shows signs of readiness for potty training, we will be happy to cooperate in every way.  In order for us to work cooperatively with you, we ask that you:

  • Write down your child’s potty schedule

  • Bring 2-3 sets of underwear or pull-ups and clothes.

  • Include clothes, which are easy to remove.

  • Tell us your word for “potty”

  • Be consistent; don’t confuse your child

  • Be lavish with praise.

  • Relax!

Please help us with our record keeping by signing your child in/out when you arrive and when you pick up your child.  Also make sure all personal items are labeled w/a permanent marker!  Out staff will be happy to help if necessary.

Some children may experience signs of stress when entering a new classroom.  They may cling, act shy, become more aggressive, have bathroom accidents or cry and tire more easily.  These are all normal symptoms of change and will disappear as your child comes to know our routines and us.  You can help by being supportive, cheerful, positive and relaxed.  Bear with the change for a few weeks and we’ll be great friends.  Of course, if you have any discomfort or have questions now, we want to help.  Communication and a great relationship are our ultimate goal.

Together for children,

Playful Pandas Teachers