Twos

The Country Day School language arts program encourages and broadens each child’s interest in written and spoken language.  The curriculum develops a love of language and literature and provides reading readiness skills in a developmentally appropriate manner.  Children are introduced to letter names, letter shapes and letter/sound relationships through the Letterland characters, a child-friendly phonics system.  Reading and language opportunities include a wide variety of multi-sensory activities and are integrated into all curricular areas throughout the day.  

Language activities for the two-year-olds include:

• Labeling objects
• Following one step directions
• Asking simple questions
• Answering action questions
• Repeating rhymes and fingerplays
• Listening in a group

MATHEMATICS

The goal of the CDS mathematics program is to develop in the children understanding and insight of the patterns of mathematics through the use of concrete materials and real-life experiences.  The program works to help young children see relationships and interconnections in mathematics and enable them to deal flexibility with mathematical ideas and concepts.

Mathematical activities for the two-year-olds include:

• Matching colors and shapes
• Sorting by color, shape and size
• Exploring number concepts (one, many, few, some, more)
• Comparing size (big, little, long, short)
• Beginning to count objects

SOCIAL STUDIES

Children at Country Day School begin developing their social skills the minute they walk through the doors.  Social studies and social skills are woven through every aspect of the curriculum as children in every program learn how to develop and sustain friendships, resolve conflicts, take pride in their accomplishments and work together to achieve success in a school environment.  As they progress through the curriculum, CDS students also discover and explore the concepts of self, family, school, neighborhood, community, town, city and country.

Areas of emphasis in social studies for our two-year-olds include:

• Building a sense of self
• Separation from parents
• Engaging with other children
• Managing feelings and emotions

SCIENCE

Throughout the school year CDS children use their five senses to explore scientific themes and ideas.  Every science lesson incorporates hands-on activities to teach concepts related to each child’s interests and experiences.  Studies of life science, environmental science, and physical science are included.  Country Day School is very fortunate to have four beautiful acres of grounds on which to learn about science.  Areas such as the ten playgrounds and butterfly garden are perfect spots for everyday scientific exploration and discovery. 

The science program at CDS focuses on the following school-wide units with different age-appropriate activities at each level from the twos through kindergarten.

September-      Color and Light
October           Measurement and Mapping
November        Neighborhood Habitats- Trees
December        Sound, Taste, and Scent
January            Properties of Matter
February          Movement and Machines
March              Movement and Machines continued
                      Neighborhood Habitats- What is Alive
April                Neighborhood Habitats- Plants and the Environment
May                Neighborhood Habitats- Plants and Animals

This curriculum is taught in the classroom daily and in the science room with the science enrichment teacher once a week. 

ART

The Country Day School art curriculum gives the children opportunities to explore materials and media through process-oriented activities.  In addition to art projects created in each classroom, CDS students (from the 3-year-old level to Kindergarten) learn various techniques and study the work of master artists in enrichment classes with the art teacher.

Areas of emphasis in art for our two-year-olds include:

• Paint and watercolor
• Drawing implements (markers, crayons, pens, pencils, chalk
• Sensory materials (clay, play dough, gak, finger paint)
• Collage materials

MUSIC

The music programs at Country Day School focus on developing a love of music in the students.  To accomplish this, each day the children sing, play musical games and fingerplays, listen to various genres of music, play instruments, and move to music.  These creative explorations are done both in the classrooms and in music enrichment classes with our music specialist.  

The 2-year-old classes participate in such music activities as:

• Beginning to learn the elements of music (high/low pitch, loud/soft intensity, fast/slow tempo)
• Experimenting with instruments
• Learning melodies and words to songs
• Dancing to music
• Responding to music with movement

MOVEMENT

The development of a positive self-image and the enjoyment of physical activities are important aspects of the CDS curriculum.  Beginning at the two-year-old level, children participate in movement enrichment classes.  Gross motor skills are practiced and refined through exciting games and activities.  In the classroom, children cultivate their fine motor skills with developmental tools like resistant clay and over-sized tweezers. The older students also enjoy handwriting activities that prepare them for success in their next school experience.

Fine and gross motor activities for two-year-olds offer opportunities to:

• Develop muscle strength, coordination, stamina and balance
• Bounce and catch balls with both hands
• Move to beat and rhythm
• Walk up and down stairs alternating feet
• Copy a circle