Program for Children Under 2 Years of Age

The first relationships that babies have are so important in building a foundation of trust.  In feeling safe, babies develop regulation and branch out to becoming active participants in the world around them. Tompkins Hall is mindful of the needs of very young infants and toddlers. By building strong relationships with children and their families, we learn about each family's culture of caring for their child, and carry that to our classroom. This supports our youngest students in feeling safe and valued. Families trust us to care for their children in the way that they would at home. 

Infancy is a time of exponential growth. Children go through great developmental and physical change as they move through the first two years of life. Babies become toddlers as they learn to walk, and their universe has its own big bang. Toddlers are much more an agent in their day than an infant, and with that comes their taking risks. Our approach with children in this period of life is to create an environment that allows for and encourages active movement, tenderly harnessed by warmth and caring. Responsive, attuned and available adults are crucial at this time. Adults help children come to know themselves, how to take a healthy risk, and how to get comfort when needed. At Tompkins Hall, we design opportunities for emotional play, perceptual play and sensory experiences, surrounded by a nurturing, supportive warmth.

The programs at Tompkins Hall do not use electronic screens with children in any of our classrooms.  Our school is an oasis of children's collaborations centered around hands-on activities, peer interactions, and emergent curriculum that builds around children’s interests.