All for Kids offers programs for infants, toddlers and children ages 1 to 6.
Infants are exposed to plenty of music, books, and “manipulatives,” or toys designed to enrich motor development skills. The activities take place in a safety-enhanced environment where the doors have hinge covers and the furniture has rounded corners. Infants are given lots of carpet space to practice crawling as well as a balance bar to practice standing and walking.
Toddlers are exposed to music, fingerplays, books and flashcards to help develop their linguistic, cognitive and social skills. “Sensory play,” in which young children are provided with a variety of materials like water, rice and play-dough, plays an important role for both toddlers and children in the “ones” and “twos” programs. Twos are also exposed to basic mathematic and scientific concepts, such as sorting, patterning and comparative concepts like “big, bigger, biggest.”
Children ages 3 and older are exposed to more sophisticated learning environments to reflect their continuing maturation. In addition to general learning and play areas, these children enjoy separate rooms for computers, math and science plus additional classes in dance and music. Listening stations are provided for the children to enjoy music and books on tape. All for Kids takes special pride in the center's math and science workshop, which uses manipulatives and other equipment designed to develop science awareness. Workshop materials include such items as balancing scales, magnet sets, nature observation tools and color mixing equipment.
The facility's staff of early childhood specialists attend a minimum of 20 hours per year of continuing education covering infant growth and development, safety, first aid and hygiene and food handling for children.
For further information, contact program directors Barbara Santoro and Lisa Almeida at director@allforkidsridgefield.com or 203-438-0766.