Welcome to Our Older 2's Classroom
Our first priority is to establish a strong teacher/parent partnership, forged in mutual respect and focused on the children's best interests.
We encourage family involvement in our program activities, and we support families in their role as primary educators of their children. Good communication ensures good outcomes. We encourage questions, concerns or observations.
We support each family's approach to child-rearing and their feelings about sharing the care of their child.
Shady Lane Philosophy
We take a process-oriented approach that stimulates each toddler's individual development. Our Older Twos have time and space to explore and to engage their senses. We foster confidence in using their rapidly changing physical and verbal skills. Our toddlers learn through play as they are nurtured and supported by educators in a stimulating environment.
Daily Schedule
Our daily schedule has flexible blocks of time that balance child-driven activities with teacher-directed choices. Quiet choices and calming periods help pace our day. We also offer opportunities for:
- Physical development, (gross and fine motor skills)
- Sensory development and the ability to process gained information
- Language and communication development using both visual and sound stimuli
- Cognitive development
- Emotional development and processing feelings
- Social development and the child's identity
Older 2's Team
The Older Twos Team includes Lead Educator Christine Smith and Educators Katie Straub and Jay Regalado. Katie Straub started at Shady Lane in 2009 as a substitute educator while pursuing her education in English and American Studies. She also has direct experience working with children in informal settings. After a brief absence to continue her coursework, Katie returned to Shady Lane to join the Older Twos team as a full-time Educator in September 2011. Jay Regalado has many years experience working with children of both preschool and school age in a variety of settings, most notably with the Gemini Children's Theatre. Jay's work has consistently combined this experience with his variety of talents in the performing arts. Jay started at Shady Lane in the Spring of 2011 as a substitute educator. Like Katie, Jay joined the Older Twos team as a full-time Educator in September 2011.
About the Lead Educator
Christine Smith graduated from Duquesne University in 2009 with certifications in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. We were fortunate to have Christine as a student teacher in the Young Threes classroom and welcomed her back as an Educator on the Young Twos team in 2009-10. Christine was made a Co-Lead Educator in Older Twos in September 2010, and became the sole Lead Educator in June 2011.
We look forward to an exciting and productive year!
