Our Lil’ Hoots class is about discovering the wonder of words and building a foundation for teaching toddlers to read. These 90-minute classes meet once a week and coincide with the school year (we offer rolling admissions and pro-rated fees). This tier is designed to facilitate a child’s transition into an academic setting where they work on activities separate from a caregiver.
Easing Separation Anxiety
For many Lil’ Hoots, this is their first time participating in a “drop-off” class, and we help ease any anxiety that might arise from separation. If children have difficulty separating, a caregiver can accompany them into class and slowly ease their way out, so children don’t feel overwhelmed or anxious. We also have a place for caregivers to sit while class is in session.
Activities consist of color and shape recognition, introductory alphabetical and phonics immersion, storytime and more. Each class is planned around a weekly theme such as zoo animals or life on the farm, and incorporates related books, music and art projects. Sharing books and reading aloud to children helps get them excited about stories and is part of our prep for teaching toddlers to read and getting ready for preschool. We also provide parents with a curated book list that will be used throughout the year.
Each week our Lil’ Hoots participate in activities that help with early handwriting development and grip, hand-eye coordination, letter recognition and fine motor development. We also begin teaching our slightly older students (starting between 22-24 months) name recognition. The goal is to have these children be able to trace their name without hand-on-hand assistance by the end of the year. We’re also building your child’s confidence and letting them know that they’re capable of these new academic challenges.
Everything we do in class is geared towards developing your child’s attention span, vocabulary, independence and love of reading. Our unique curriculum is created by our founder to meet the needs and learning styles of toddlers at this stage of their development. And our warm, inviting space instills a sense of magic in children from the moment they walk through our doors.