Our Twos program focuses on the social development of the child. Learning to separate from parents, be a part of a group, take turns, share with friends, and use the classroom materials appropriately are important skills for two-year-olds to master. Our teachers facilitate social interactions between the children, and help them learn to join in classroom activities. Daily activities are designed to help children develop appropriate use of language to communicate with teachers and peers, as well as to develop fine and gross motor skills. Children are exposed to colors, shapes, letters and numbers through play, art, stories, and songs. Helping children develop self-confidence and a sense of autonomy through mastery of toilet training and other self-care skills is also an important part of our program.

Our classrooms are large, bright and divided into activity areas so our children can learn and grow. Landmark - Bedford offers a low 1:4 teacher to student ratio so that teachers may better supervise and help children to explore.

Discovery Time
Discovery time allows children to explore the classroom materials at their own pace, and is important in helping your child make a good transition from home to school. Activities include Play-Doh, drawing, puzzles, manipulative materials, a dramatic play area, a sensory table, cars and trucks, and building blocks.

Circle Time
The class comes together each day to participate in songs, finger plays, letter sounds, special bag and games. Creative movement activities, such as dance, marching band, and parachute play, promote coordination and listening skills are also part of our day.

Stories
Sharing stories through books or flannel board is a favorite activity for twos. We know that in addition to being fun, these stories are a great way to teach important skills. Children increase their understanding of language through stories, as well as their ability to comprehend. Important concepts such as patterns, rhymes,and sequencing can be introduced through stories too.

Art
Art provides sensory exploration as children experience the feel, sight and scent of paint, finger paint, glue, modeling dough etc. Your child will enjoy the process of creation using a variety of materials. Projects may be open-ended, or may relate to our themes. Children enjoy these creative activities, which often involve paint, glue, etc.

Recess
Children enjoy outdoor time on our playground each day, weather permitting, building and developing large gross motor skills and coordination. On inclement weather days, we may use parachute play and other games to entertain our children while indoors.

Technology
Interactive whiteboards in each classroom allow the group to explore various subject areas and skill sets while bringing the world in to the classroom.

In our Fours program, learning is a playful, social experience with teachers using games and manipulatives to introduce math, phonics and writing skills. Art, music, technology, outdoor play and field trips further enrich this program, and our 7:1 student to teacher ratio allows for individualized attention and differentiated learning.

Character Development
Emphasis on respect, cooperation, sharing, patience, and being a good friend. Learning to accept responsibility for one's actions and demonstrating the ability to function as an individual and as a member of a group are goals of this program.

Monthly Themes
Themes may include: "all about me," bears and hibernation, holidays around the world, solar system, dinosaurs, bugs and insects, architecture, and summer safety.

Literacy
Includes special letter and sound of the week, recognizing upper and lower case letters and "vowel friends". These skills are further enhanced through our new "Fundations" Literacy program which extends letter learning through fun-filled activities. Progression can include consonant-vowel blends, three letter words, short vowel books, long vowel books and digraphs, reinforced through phonics games and activities and stories.

Math
Skills are developed using math manipulatives, one to one correspondence, counting, graphing, patterning, and sorting. Children recognize and solve problems through active exploration.

Technology
SmartBoards in each classroom allow the group to explore various subject areas and skill sets while bringing the world in to the classroom. iPads are incorporated to reinforce math, phonics and handwriting concepts. 

Handwriting
The Fundations program is used to introduce students to the letter/sound connection and begin the process of reading and writing. This program continues through Lower School at Ridgefield Academy. Students write and draw journal entries over the course of the year, documenting their fine motor skill growth.

Art
Includes projects that are self-expressive and process oriented, including easel painting and collages, as well as teacher directed projects utilizing many mediums and resources.

Music
Incorporates the use of both new and familiar songs, tunes, echo songs, the use of rhythm instruments (drums, bells, triangles, wooden blocks, etc.) and movement.

Science
Opportunities to wonder, ask questions, and seek answers about the natural world through observations, experimentation, use of equipment, recording and collecting data.