Infant Program

At LillyPatch Kids, our infant curriculum aligns with the Reggio Emilia approach, focusing on nurturing each child's natural curiosity and supporting their development through exploration, relationships, and responsive care. This philosophy views infants as capable and competent, with unique interests and needs that guide their learning experiences.

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Key Elements of the Infant Curriculum

1. Environment as the Third Teacher:

   • Our infant space is designed to be safe, inviting, and stimulating, encouraging exploration and interaction.

   • Mirrors, sensory materials, soft textures, and natural light create an environment that fosters curiosity and discovery.

2. Emergent Curriculum:

   • Activities are guided by the infants’ cues, interests, and developmental milestones.

   • Teachers observe the infants closely and adapt experiences to support their growth and learning.

3. Relationships and Connection:

   • Strong bonds between caregivers and infants are prioritized to provide a sense of security and trust.

   • Interactions include one-on-one play, eye contact, gentle communication, and cuddling to support emotional development.

4. Learning Through Play and Exploration:

   • Infants are encouraged to explore their environment with age-appropriate toys and materials that promote sensory, motor, and cognitive development.

   • Activities include:

     • Tummy Time: Strengthening muscles and promoting motor skills.

     • Sensory Play: Exploring textures, sounds, and colors with items like soft fabrics, rattles, and sensory bins.

     • Cause-and-Effect Toys: Building cognitive understanding through exploration.

5. Supporting Communication and Expression:

   • Teachers engage infants with songs, stories, and simple language to encourage early communication and language development.

   • Infants are given time and space to express themselves through babbling, gestures, and facial expressions, which are acknowledged and responded to by caregivers.

6. Connection with Nature:

   • Infants are introduced to the natural world through outdoor time, where they can feel the breeze, hear birds, and observe nature in a safe and supportive way.

Daily Rhythm for Infants

Our daily routine is flexible and responsive to each infant’s needs, creating a sense of comfort and predictability while allowing for exploration and growth:

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1. Welcome and Arrival: Warm greetings to ease transitions and help infants settle in.

2. Individual Play and Exploration: Opportunities to explore sensory and motor activities based on individual interests.

3. Group Engagement: Songs, fingerplays, and stories to build early social and language skills.

4. Outdoor Time: Gentle exposure to nature and fresh air in a safe environment.

5. Feeding and Care Routines: Personalized care routines that include feedings, diaper changes, and naps, supporting each infant's unique rhythm.

6. Interactive Play: Time with caregivers to build strong, trusting relationships and foster early learning.

At LillyPatch Kids, our Reggio Emilia-inspired infant curriculum provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where infants can develop foundational skills through exploration, play, and connection. We are committed to supporting each child's growth in a way that feels natural, responsive, and filled with love.