Age appropriate child development – Empowering kids to say: “I can”

A big part of the Kita ylaa mission is its intent on providing a learning and educational experience of the highest quality. We strongly believe that even very young children feel a calling to learn, explore and discover. This is why the Kita ylaa motto “I can” caters to the various development phases of each specific age group.

We integrate all areas of child development: the physical development, as well as the expression of linguistic, creative, scientific and social talents. A specifically created teaching plan encourages and fosters the fields of creativity and arts, music, science, movement, play and telling stories (telling and hearing stories, as well as role play/theater).

“I can” means: Every child will take home something newly learned each evening.

Therefore, at Kita ylaa, every child is cared for and supported according to their age and stage of development.

Babies and Toddlers (3 to 24 months)

Physical development: With the help of special games, babies and toddlers are supported in developing their fine und gross motor skills.

Language development: Each and every word will grow to have a significant impact for the child. This is why we constantly communicate with infants and toddlers, as well as reading picture books together and telling them stories in English and German. This helps them associate words with objects early on.

Social competence: The children meet in the group many times per day. Through collective singing, sharing stories or simply spending time together, even the youngest already develop a knack for social competence.

Outdoor activities: Playing and roaming around outside in nature is seen as an indispensable part of a child’s development at our day care center. For outdoor playtime, several toys suitable for children are at everyone’s disposal. The program also encompasses regular trips to close-by forests, meadows, the zoo etc.

Diet: Food is a basic need and part of a child’s healthy development. This is why we take great strides in providing a healthy and balanced diet, while at the same time respecting the individual eating habits of every single child at the same time. For infants that are ready to eat pap or solid food, we prepare fresh meals from organically grown fruits and vegetables.

Toddlers (2 to 3 1/2 years)

Physical development: With the help of special games, babies and toddlers are supported in developing their fine und gross motor skills.

Language development: Together we tell stories and read from English and German picture books to evoke curiosity about language. We play question and answer games and have conversations at the table to encourage language ability.

Creativity: Through painting, arts and crafts using various materials, as well as role play, dancing, singing, music and theater we promote the creativity of the kids.

Science: Observing and discovering nature in the immediate envorionment plays a large role in child education. At ylaa, the kids encounter animals, plants, digits and forms in a playful manner.

Social competence: In guided activities, the children learn to play together in a group setting. During free-play time they learn to approach each other compromise and handle conflicts amongst each other. This enhances their communication and social skills.

Outdoor activities: Playing and roaming around outside in nature is seen as an indispensable part of a child’s development at our day care center. For play time outside, several toys suitable for children are at everyone’s disposal. The program also encompasses regular trips to close-by forests, meadows, the zoo etc.

Diet: Food is a basic need and part of a child’s healthy development. This is why we take great strides in providing a healthy and balanced diet, while at the same time respecting the individual eating habits of every single child.

Pre-Schoolers and Kindergardenkids (3 1/2 years up until the end of kindergarden)

Physical development: With the help of age appropriate games, individually tailored to each child, the kids are supported in developing their fine and gross motor skills. The focus on the child’s entering kindergarden is placed.

Language: Together we tell stories and read from English and German picture books to evoke curiosity about language. We also play question and answer games as well as partake in themed activities (see our annual pedagogic plan for child development) to further refine linguistic abilities.

Creativity: Through painting, arts and crafts using various materials, as well as role play, dancing, singing, music and theater we promote the creativity of the kids.

Science: In a playful manner and through scientific experiments, the kids encounter digits, forms and colors etc.

Social competence: The social competence of the children is refined during structured group play, as well as free-play time

Outdoor activities: Playing and roaming around outside in nature is seen as an indispensable part of a child’s development at our day care center. For play time outside, several toys suitable for children are at everyone’s disposal. The program also encompasses regular trips to close-by forests, meadows, the zoo etc.

Diet: Food is a basic need and part of a child’s healthy development. This is why we take great strides in providing a healthy and balanced diet, while at the same time respecting the individual eating habits of every single child at the same time.