Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Serving 12 children between the ages of one and two years, a curriculum of "learning centers" is introduced and implemented. Toddlers are given many opportunities to become autonomous learners as they work and play in this hands-on, multi-sensory classroom.
Children are cared for by a lead teacher, assistant teacher and our student teaching assistants.
Ms. Hailey, lead teacher
Born and raised in the northern suburbs of Illinois, I moved with my husband to his hometown of Timpson in April 2025 to start this new chapter in our lives. I graduated from the University of Missouri with my bachelor's degree in general studies with an emphasis in social work, health sciences, and child and family development. My favorite pastime is being outside with my dogs, Blu and Bodie, and spending time with my family.
My passion for working with children began when I was an assistant teacher in my mother's montessori school in high school. Throughout college, I worked at several different daycares. Prior to moving to Texas, I helped children of all age groups within the State of Missouri Children's Division foster care system. I truly enjoy working with children in the developmental stages of life and strive each day to help them appropriately learn and grow in a safe and trusting environment.
Ms. Kristyanna, assistant teacher
Hi, everyone! My name is Kristyanna and I'm beyond excited to be a part of the Early Childhood Laboratory family. Before coming to the ECHL, I worked as a paraprofessional for three and a half years. During this time, I gained experience with head start, middle school students, and special education students at the middle- and high-school levels. I fell in love with it and am currently earning my degree in teaching.
My husband and I love to travel anywhere and everywhere. We adore our three fur babies: Cleo, Cooper and Nala.
I can't wait to grow at the ECHL and get to know each student and family.
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.
In the Toddler I classroom, learning centers offer individual play and group activities such as stories and music. The centers also are designed to encourage physical, social, emotional and language development.
Toddlers are given opportunities to become autonomous learners as they work and play in a hands-on, multi-sensory classroom.
Daily schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:10 to 8:15 a.m. | Arrivals and learning centers |
| 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. | Restroom routine |
| 8:30 to 9 a.m. | Snack |
| 9 to 9:15 a.m. | Group time |
| 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. | Restroom routine |
| 9:30 to 10 a.m. | Art |
| 10 to 10:45 a.m. | Outside play or motor room |
| 10:45 to 11 a.m. | Wash hands |
| 11 to 11:30 a.m. | Lunch |
| 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. | Restroom routine, brush teeth |
| 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Naptime |
| 2 to 2:30 p.m. | Quiet wake up, restroom routine |
| 2:30 to 3 p.m. | Snack |
| 3 to 3:15 p.m. | Group time |
| 3:15 to 4 p.m. | Learning centers |
| 4 to 4:15 p.m. | Restroom routine |
| 4:15 to 5 p.m. | Outside play or motor room |
| 5 to 5:20 p.m. | Departure |
Stocking their cubby
Here's a quick checklist of items to keep in your child's classroom cubby:
- Diapers
- Lovey (small comfort item)
- Two to three sets of season-appropriate clothing
We provide diaper wipes, naptime items (cot, pillow and blanket), toothbrush and water bottle.
Toys must stay at home.
New families:
Bring three to four photos of family members for your child's scrapbook collage page.
Playground
Climbing, crawling, running, balancing and swinging. There is no shortage of playground opportunities to explore! If you come by while your toddler is enjoying outside play, you might find them riding a Cozy Coupe or using their imagination in the sandbox.
