Last Updated on August 18, 2024 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: Planning your toddler classroom schedule? Here are my favorite tips for a creating a successful day!
The most successful toddler classroom schedule is simple but well thought out.
The teacher takes time to observe how the children use the materials.
The teacher notices what they are interested in, what is working, and what is not.
The teacher is careful about balancing active and quiet times and tries to have as few transitions as possible, understanding that too many changes can be disruptive to a young child.
And even once school begins, even halfway through the school year and perhaps longer, the teacher knows the schedule can be tweaked when it’s apparent that the day is not flowing as it should be. The teacher creates a plan, but knows that it does not have to be set in stone, that ideas can change at the last minute and that’s okay.
The teacher plans, but is also flexible.
When keeping all of this in mind, a classroom schedule has been created that is developmentally appropriate for these young, curious, energetic children.
How to Put Together a Simple Toddler Classroom Schedule
Our 2’s class meets from 9:30 a.m. to noon, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After tweaking it several times over the course of many years, just like we have done with our 3 year olds class schedule, we have created a schedule that has worked very well for our children.
Arrivals
We greet our children at the classroom door with warm greetings, the children say goodbye to their parents or caregivers, and we walk them into the classroom.
Free-Choice Centers
We offer free-choice centers as soon as the 2’s arrive.
They are not required to be at any center at any given time, but have the freedom to roam and explore at their own pace.
The centers provided are:
- Reading/Writing Area (Video)
- Play Dough
- Table Activities (Video)
- Dramatic Play (Video)
- Blocks and Cars (Video)
- Science
- Art (Video)
- Easel
- Sensory Table (Video)
Related: Our Favorite Toddler Centers and How to Set Them Up
Outdoors
We are lucky to have an outdoor area right outside our classroom.
During the last half of centers time, we open the door and the children can go outside. (We have one teacher inside, one teacher outside, and our assistant is wherever we have the most children.)
Clean Up
After an hour of centers and outdoor time, we are ready to clean up the classroom as a group.
We model how we put the toys on the shelves and tidy the activity tables.
We put away our playdough and art supplies and disinfect them since that is where we will have snack.
At the beginning of the year our group time (similar to a circle time) is informal and I don’t force anyone to sit while we read.
As the year progresses and their attention spans grow, they sit on a carpet square while we read a short story and recite one of ourfavorite finger plays or dance to one of our favorite songs.
This gets them used to sitting together and they will be ready for a more formal circle time in the 3 year old class the following year.
Snack
A lot of independence takes place during snack time.
We start from the very first day carefully showing the children how we wash our hands before and after snack, how we sit at the tables, and how we clean up our spots when we are finished.
Gym
Our preschool resides in a church and we usually have access to either a large fellowship hall or a large activity room.
Both areas have lots of toys that allow the children to use their large motor skills. We make sure they get at least 30 minutes of time moving their bodies.
Music and Movement
When we return from large motor play, we end our morning with music and movement.
This might be using rhythm sticks, instruments, dancing scarves, or singing to our favorite songs
Related: Easy Ways to Use Rhythm Sticks in the Classroom
Departures
As the parents gather in the hallway, we say goodbye to each other.
Toddler and Preschool Activity Plans
Looking for an entire year’s worth of learning activities? We’ve done the work for you!
I have helped create each of these packets, along with a team of talented educators and homeschoolers.
Easy to follow lesson plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Every theme comes with recommended reading lists, songs, material lists, and more.
Click on the graphics below for more details.
Toddlers (18 – 36 months):
Preschool (3 – 5 Years):
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Hi there! I also teach twos and was wondering if you have a diaper changing/potty time.
We change diapers when needed, but check all of them before snack time. Since it’s only 2.5 hours, we don’t always have many to change. (Although there ARE those mornings…) State requires that we keep a log of all diapers changed, as I’m sure everyone has to do.
How many teachers/students do you have? I’m wondering how you handle supervision when some children are inside and some outside…
We have 2 teachers on Tuesday and a 3rd teacher for part of the morning on Thursdays, with 10 two year olds. Our outdoor classroom is directly off our classroom, so one teacher takes 5 outside at a time while the other teacher is inside.
How do you deal with transitions when some are still eating and others have been done for a while?
For our 3’s, we have a few different activities set up on the rug (puzzles, etc.). After they clean their spot and wash hands, they go to the rug to work on an activity, or they can go to the book corner or the writing corner.
For the 3’s, I turn on music and they dance. They are also welcome to look at books or be at the writing table.
How do you handle discipline problems? I noticed you mentioned some of them don’t sit while you are reading…I have a mixed age class of JUST turned three to JUST turned five year olds and I’m finding it difficult to manage the ones who KNOW what they are doing with the ones who do whatever they want because they still haven’t learned. I have an assistant but since we eat breakfast, lunch and snack in the classroom she spends most of her time cleaning. It’s a bit hectic.
State requires that we keep a log of all diapers changed, as I’m sure everyone has to do.
cool math 4 kids
what age group is part of this class? I teach at preschool in Tunisia and we start with 18 month olds because it’s the best age for children to learn a second language. Our youngest class is 18months- 2 1/2 year olds. They come 5 days a week and stay 9-4, so it’s a long day, including lunch and naps.
They can start the class when they turn 2. The following school year they will be in the 3 year olds class.
Are the children who stay for large group/story distracted by those who do not come to large group?
We try to direct them to a quiet activity so that it’s not a disruption. But my goal is to make our circle time so inviting that they will want to come join us.
Hi where is this school located???
Hi Bianca – we are in the Pacific Northwest of the USA.