Growing Independence Through Exploration, Guidance, and Connection

At Dartmouth Children’s Center, our toddler program provides a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment where young children can actively explore the world around them while building the foundational skills necessary for lifelong learning. Designed for children ages 15 months to 2 years 9 months, our program recognizes that toddlers are curious, energetic, and rapidly developing individuals who thrive when given opportunities to explore, communicate, and develop independence within a supportive environment.

The toddler years are filled with incredible growth in language, mobility, emotional development, and self-awareness. At this important stage, children are learning how to express themselves, build relationships, manage emotions, and navigate their growing sense of autonomy. Our program is thoughtfully designed to support these milestones through responsive caregiving, developmentally appropriate practices, and strong family partnerships.

A Supportive Environment for Emerging Independence

Toddlers are naturally driven to explore, test boundaries, and assert independence. At Dartmouth Children’s Center, we embrace this stage of development by providing a carefully structured environment where children can safely explore while receiving patient guidance, emotional support, and consistent routines.

Our experienced educators:

• Foster secure, trusting relationships with each child
• Support language development through constant verbal interaction, modeling, and storytelling
• Encourage emotional regulation by helping children identify feelings and develop socially appropriate behaviors
• Provide positive guidance, redirection, and age-appropriate behavior support
• Promote self-help skills such as feeding, toileting readiness, and daily routines
• Create predictable schedules that help toddlers develop a sense of security and internal understanding of time

Learning Through Active Play

We believe toddlers learn best through hands-on exploration, movement, sensory experiences, and social interaction. Our toddler classrooms are intentionally designed to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and support all areas of development.

Children are given opportunities to:

• Engage in sensory-rich play experiences
• Develop gross motor skills through climbing, movement, and active exploration
• Strengthen fine motor skills through manipulatives, art, and hands-on materials
• Build communication skills through songs, books, and daily conversations
• Practice social skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and problem-solving
• Explore their environment with confidence while receiving supportive guidance

Every experience, from playtime to routines, is viewed as an opportunity for growth and development.

Social-Emotional Development at the Heart of Learning

At Dartmouth Children’s Center, we believe social-emotional development is essential during the toddler years. Our educators help toddlers begin understanding their emotions, practicing self-regulation, and developing positive peer relationships.

Through nurturing interactions and intentional teaching, children learn to:

• Identify and express emotions
• Develop trust and confidence
• Practice self-control and coping strategies
• Build positive relationships with peers and adults
• Develop resilience and a growing sense of self

Family Partnerships Matter

We recognize that families are central to each child’s development. Our toddler program prioritizes open communication and collaboration with parents to ensure consistency, trust, and individualized support.

We provide:

• Daily updates and family communication
• Developmental guidance and support
• Individualized routines when needed
• A welcoming, inclusive environment that values family culture and input

Building Strong Foundations for the Future

Our toddler program is designed to nurture the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively—while encouraging the independence and confidence that toddlers need as they grow.

At Dartmouth Children’s Center, we are committed to helping toddlers establish strong roots through loving relationships, structured support, and meaningful experiences, while giving them the wings to explore, discover, and thrive.

Establishing roots, encouraging wings—every step of the way.