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ENVIRONMENT AND STIMULATION

Infants and toddlers need an environment that is set up to stimulate and develop based on their age.  The infant/toddler environment needs to be safe for your child to explore.

 Infants and toddlers need lots of room where they can safely explore and practice their large and small motor skills.  For this reason I do not put children in a playpen -- my play area is safe and secure for them to move about freely. 

A child learns from play and needs time to discover things without grownup interference.  However, they also need a grownup to always be there when they want interaction, need help, or just need some cuddling.  Most of the time I will be sitting on the floor observing the children, and engaging when appropriate.  Also, too many toys can be distracting, so I rotate toys to keep your child interested. 

I believe everybody must be treated with respect, whether an infant or adult.  I always talk to the children, tell them what is going to happen next, and take thier cues about what they need.

Outings are very important experiences, even for infants -- they meet different people, see new things, and have stimulation.  With parents' permission, I take children to the park, the zoo and the library.

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            DISCIPLINE

Discipline is a very important part of raising a child, however I believe discipline is NOT punishment but rather a teaching opportunity.  Time-outs have become a substitute for a learning experience.  A young child may not understand why they receive a "time-out" or what it means. When a child does something that is an undesirable behavior, it is a perfect opportunity to teach them the right way to do things. 

 While I believe that there is a place for time-outs, they should not be used as a punishment but rather as a time for the child to calm down.  I also believe that for a small child, a time-out may best be served in the lap of the care provider with a calming voice explaining what is happening.

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TOILET TRAINING

Potty training is a widely discussed subject -- it is very individual and can take anywhere from a few months up to a year depending on how ready the child is and the age of the child.  Some children are interested as early as 18 months or sooner, and that is fine.  If the child likes to sit on the potty, support that effort, but do not expect them to be without diapers for a long time.

My philosophy is that the child will show you when he/she is ready to start and you have to go with what the child wants to do.  If he/she decides that they want to go back to diapers it is okay to just back off for a while, and then start up again when he/she is ready. 

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           HOLIDAYS

I celebrate lots of different holidays, and because this is a family daycare I will celebrate all of my family’s holidays -- ethnic and religious -- with decorations, songs, stories, etc.  I feel that it is important for children to learn about different cultures, so if there are other holidays your family celebrates, let me know so that I can include them too.   I want every child to feel special and that includes sharing their heritage with the other children.

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AFFECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

What every child of any age needs is to feel loved and accepted for exactly who they are.  I will give your child lots of affection with hugs, recognition and encouragement.       

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I look forward to the opportunity to care for your child.

Please contact me for more information.

Maritha Rufus