Nido

Toddlers and Twos

Our Nido programs are very important! Nido means "nest" in Italian.  Our Nido professionals have a central role in forming strong connections in young brains because learning builds. Learning is like stacking blocks. The blocks on the bottom are the foundation for all future learning. Hopwood Child Care professionals carefully consider each child and then coordinate activities, inspired by them, to build on what they already know. Our Nido professionals show their respect by intently listening when a child is speaking or using one of "The Hundred Languages" for communication, by working to understand each child's needs and feelings. We get down to their level and make eye contact to make them feel comfortable. We give children opportunities to make choices for themselves to make them feel in control and independent. We introduce puzzles, bead stringing, pegs and peg boards, sorting toys, shape boxes, recycled objects, magnetic pieces, etc. to each learner to encourage math and science learning. Their uses of fine motor skills are developed and hand eye coordination is improved through these types of activities. We practice kindness and promote positive ways to help our young children respectfully get along with others. Our Nido professionals also prepare memory books for each child, to trace the experience of children through these important years. These memory books are passed on to older classrooms as children advance. Memory books are the beginning pages to beautiful portfolios! 

According to O. Fred Donaldson, "Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn."