Koala Bears
We incorporate family rituals and routines throughout our day to help our youngest students feel safe and have fun.
Ages
3-13 months
Class Size
Up to 6, 1:3 teacher-to-child ratio
In the Koala Bears Room, we incorporate family rituals and routines throughout our day to help the children feel safe and have fun. We see conflicts as opportunities to teach, and focus on ways to be kind and helpful instead of hurtful. The Koalas begin the day with a Conscious Discipline Brain Smart Start©: They come together, connect with each other, practice deep breathing, and commit to keeping each other safe. We not only respect babies, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. We have basic trust in the infant to be an initiator; to be an explorer eager to learn what he or she ready for. We give infants plenty of time for uninterrupted play, and allow them to enjoy mastery of her own actions.
Our approach to infant care is informed by the book Caring for Infants and Toddlers in Groups: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, published by ZERO TO THREE. It says infants need “security most of all. The young infant thrives on the warmth and caring that come from a close relationship with the caregiver. Feelings about security influence the baby’s inclination to explore and become part of the child’s identity…. Learning they can count on being cared for helps babies build a sense of security.”