Enrichment
Infants
Infants
Ages 6 Weeks - 20 Months
We designed the infant childcare rooms at Ardent to make the transition for both parent and child as smooth as possible! We’ve created a safe, “feels like home” environment that enables us to love and nurture your infant as we seek to meet their individual needs. We offer four different infant classes to best suit your child, both developmentally and emotionally.
Don’t be intimidated by the task of finding the best infant care for your baby. Use this comprehensive checklist to assist you in finding out what matters most.
Infant 1
Ages 6 Weeks - 6 Months
Our Infant 1 room is all about introducing babies to a new environment while remaining within the comfort of their own schedule. Naps and feeding times are on demand. Once the infant reaches the 4-6 month age, they are slowly transitioned to a more structured schedule.
Infant 1 Enrichment Activities
Texture Exploration
We introduce babies to new textures through arts and crafts, books, toys and fabrics. Introducing babies to new textures helps develop their tactile senses and helps enhance their fine motor skills.
Visual Stimulation
We provide a variety of colorful objects in our infant rooms to stimulate visual exploration and give babies things to look at around the room.
Tummy Time
We want to help build core strength and improve coordination. In our Infant 1 room tummy time is one of the main ways we help babies grow physically and promote stability.
Language Development
Our staff is trained to regularly engage in descriptive conversations with your baby. They will also read aloud and sing songs to them. These activities support communication skills in young babies, laying the foundation for their future verbal abilities.
Infant 2
Ages 6 Months - 12 Months
This is a fun and busy stage for babies as they begin to demonstrate their mobility. Our rooms are designed to accommodate not only this increased movement but also their increased interest in everything around them.
The infant 2 room has a social space where babies can visit with one another and are engaged by the teachers through songs and play. We also introduce basic sign language to enable the babies to communicate with their teachers and parents!
Infant 2 Enrichment Activities
Sensory Play
We use sensory bins, fingerpainting and toys to introduce this age group to explore and discover new sensations. These activities also get babies used to using their hands, strengthening their hand eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Physical Growth
At this stage babies are beginning to become mobile. They are sitting up, crawling and pulling up. We equip our rooms with soft play toys so they can safely explore on their own.
Language Development
We introduce letter sounds and basic sign language to babies at this stage. Our goal is for them to start understanding and using basic sign language to express their needs, while also beginning to form letter sounds and simple words.
Outside Time
Our infant rooms open to a spacious play area specially designed for crawling and playing. This thoughtfully designed space makes it easy for teachers to take the youngest children outside, allowing them to safely enjoy fresh air and sunshine while getting some essential vitamin D in a shaded, secure environment.
Infant 3
Ages 10 Months - 12 Months
There is a slight overlap in ages between this room and Infant 2 and the reason is simply so we can best accommodate your child. Developmental milestones are met differently with each child, and we want to make sure that those babies who are expressing an interest in walking get the opportunity to practice!
Infant 3 is also designed to introduce your child to a more structured feeding, napping, and play schedule. Sign language continues to be used and taught and we even begin exposing the children to the wonderful world of the alphabet and numbers!
Infant 3 Enrichment Activities
Physical Development
Our Infant 3 room is thoughtfully designed to support babies as they transition to a new stage of independence. Here, we focus on helping them build the strength needed to begin walking, transitioning from napping in a crib to a cot, and moving from milk and baby food to our nutritious meal plan. We collaborate closely with parents to introduce foods they feel comfortable with, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable transition. Through the ProCare app, we keep parents informed of their child’s preferences and progress, maintaining open and continuous communication.
Structured Schedule Activity
As children progress through our program, they are introduced to a more structured routine that includes designated times for play, learning, meals, and naps. By establishing a clear and consistent schedule in the classroom, we aim to help children understand what to expect each day. This not only fosters a sense of security and predictability for the children but also supports parents in establishing healthy routines at home.
Sensory & Cognitive Activities
This stage of life is all about exploration. We offer a variety of toys and movement opportunities to encourage problem solving and cognitive development. We also encourage the babies to become more social with one another. Carpet play and outside play give them plenty of opportunities to interact with each other and help them learn how to foster social interaction.
Wobblers
Ages 12 Months - 18 Months
Our Wobblers room is best suited for children who are in the age range of 12 months – 18 months and are walking with little to no assistance as well as beginning to express their desire for independence!
Wobblers Enrichment Activities
Creative Development
In our Wobblers class, children are introduced to crayons and various arts and crafts supplies. Using these materials at an early age helps build essential fine motor skills and promotes a spark of creativity in young minds.
Cognitive Development
We begin using the Abeka curriculum in our Wobblers class. The curriculum is centered around the children being able to recognize their letters, numbers, colors and shapes. We stimulate the mind through interactive play, music and motion and class lessons designed on their level.
Speech Development
As children transition into this room, we continue to use some sign language while encouraging them to start using basic words. Our teachers are skilled in fostering verbal communication by consistently interacting with the children and encouraging the use of words that come naturally.
Independent Development
In this class, children are at the early stages of establishing their independence. Initially, they use chairs designed to help them stay seated, but as they grow, they transition to regular chairs. They also start learning how to use a spoon and fork to feed themselves independently, fostering their self-sufficiency.
We hope this page has given you a helpful glimpse into our Infant Program. But there’s so much more to see in person! We invite you to schedule a tour or contact us with any questions—we’d love to connect with you.
