Children between the ages of 2 and 4 are in our Discoverers program. This age is a wonderful time of social and physical development as your child starts to become more independent. O’Fallon Early Childhood Center nurtures and encourages your child’s budding independence and desire to discover new things about their world.
The “Discoverer” Perspective
As your child explores their world, they will begin making choices and engaging in more complex activities that support their whole development.
Discoverers Milestones
The milestones that your child will meet as a Discoverer are:
- Working together
- Expressing affection
- Turning pages in a book one page at a time
- Using sentences of 2 or more words
- Taking active part in both imaginary and physical play
- Washing their own hands
- Self-feeding
- Recognizing and naming objects
- Able to self-sooth
Nutrition & Health
Now that they’re older and eating solid foods, your child deserves healthy meals that fuel their active bodies and minds. With our “GOOD FOOD” Promise, your child will get the nutrition they need in the form of whole, healthy meals with fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats.
Physical Development
At this age, your child is now more active and will be more coordinated than they were before. They will use both of their hands to play, can walk steadily, and maintain their balance. Our outdoor classroom, playground, and indoor activities and games are a great way for your child to discover the natural world, run, and play.
Social Skills
Discoverers become more social as they get older and start expressing more developed, complex feelings. Joining other Discoverers and Investigators in cooperative play, your child will seek out new ways to play by inventing games and participating in planned activities.
How OECC Fulfills Your Child’s Needs
The OECC Environment
The Discoverers Room is filled with an abundance of activities that allow your child develop new concepts and skills.
Encouraging Independence
Our staff will gently guide your child as they learn skills that encourage their budding independence like:
- Washing hands
- Dressing themselves
- Potty training
Activities
Your child will be able to choose activities that will help them discover more about themselves and the world such as:
- Songs
- Finger plays
- Finger painting
- Games
- Math activities
- Science experiments (water play, cause and effect, mixing colors, etc.)
