Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Serving eight children between the ages of two and 12 months, the teachers individualize each child's feeding, sleeping and diapering schedule.
Each of our classrooms has a dedicated lead teacher and assistant teacher.
Children also are cared for by our student teaching assistants.
While completing my education in 2014, I worked at the Early Childhood Laboratory as a teacher's assistant. I graduated from SFA in December 2014, earning a bachelor's degree in child development and family living. Upon my graduation, I briefly left the ECHL and joined the teaching team at GETCAP Head Start from 2014 to 2016.
In 2016, I returned to the ECHL as the lead teacher for the infant room. I've worked with young children since I was very young and could not imagine a better career.
I have twin daughters, Addyson and Brylee, who graduated from the SFA Charter School. In our free time, we enjoy taking our boat out on the lake, especially lakes we have never visited.
I was born and raised in Anaheim, California, but moved to Nacogdoches in 2016 with my family. My educational career began with graduating from Angelina College with my associate degree in graphic design. I'm bilingual and can fluently speak, write and read in Spanish. My favorite pastime is spending time with my fur babies, Yoda and Mae, and my family. My passion for working with infants developed by taking care of my rambunctious nephews.
Professionally, I have continued to grow and develop my passion for working with children within various ages. Since 2018, I have loved my experiences watching infants develop and hit milestones by assisting them in learning new skills. In my scope of expertise, I enjoy developing trust with the infants by assuring them that it is a safe place.
Activities and development
Early Childhood Laboratory classrooms follow the Constructivist Theory approach. Our teachers develop outdoor lesson plans to correlate with weekly lesson plans that reinforce indoor learning and structure playtime to optimize learning. Using curriculum and assessments for guidance, design of the learning centers is based on the learning needs of each individual child.
Infants learn through sensory, exploration, cause and effect, and group activities such as stories and music.
Daily schedule
The infant room's daily schedule is very flexible.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:10 to 8 a.m. | Arrival, greeting |
| 8 to 8:15 a.m. | Floor play |
| 8:15 to 9 a.m. | Snacks, brush teeth, bottles |
| 9 to 9:30 a.m. | Diapering |
| 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. | Group time, music, floor play |
| 9:45 to 10 a.m. | Prepare for morning naps |
| 10:45 to 11 a.m. | Waking and preparation for lunch |
| 11 a.m. to Noon | Lunch and individual time |
| 12:30 to 1 p.m. | Diapering |
| 1 to 2 p.m. | Afternoon naps |
| 2 to 2:20 p.m. | Waking, snacks, bottles |
| 2:25 to 3 p.m. | Outside play |
| 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Floor play, music |
| 4:30 to 5:20 p.m. | Diapering, walks, prepare for home |
Stocking their cubby
Here's a quick checklist of items to keep in your child's classroom cubby:
- Diapers
- Formula/Milk/Breastmilk
- Food (infants transitioning to food do not participate in the ECHL food services program.)
- Lovey (small comfort item)
- Two to three sets of season-appropriate clothing
We provide diaper wipes, burp cloths, bibs, naptime items (cot, pillow and blanket), toothbrush and water bottle (for infants 6+ months).
Toys must stay at home.
New families:
Bring three to four photos of family members for your child's scrapbook collage page.
Playground
Our infant playground, with abundant shade, offers a variety of toys and activities for our scooters, crawlers and early walkers.
