How We Learn
For many of our youngest learners, our Turtle Room is the first consistent group experience they’ve ever had. That, combined with the developmental levels of most toddlers, means that we spend a lot of time helping children in this room gain those skills that will help them thrive. Our goal is that they will be able to learn to be gentle with others, play with peers as part of large and small groups, begin to learn to share and take turns and begin to put words with actions, feelings and needs.
We also encourage their growing need for independence by encouraging self-help skills such as helping to clean up, practicing following directions and routines such as hand-washing, beginning to dress themselves, and by making the transition to and from parents, and from activity to activity as stress free as possible.
Teachers get down on the children’s level and participate with them as they discover materials, activities, and physical spaces through creative play and listen to stores, songs, and music. The outside becomes a learning space as well, as we develop our muscles climbing, running, riding bikes and explore nature. Children learn about our community, the people and things that make up our neighborhood, as teachers take them on cart rides to the many interesting sites near our Center
Teachers
Cheryl Heiman, Lead Teacher
I have been a teacher with Red Caboose since 1974 and have been the Lead Teacher in the Turtle Room for most of those years. Things have changed over the years, but our commitment to providing exceptional care and early childhood education continues.
Kathy Barkus
I have over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. I am fortunate to have worked with a vast and diverse population of children over the years. I earned an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and graduated with high academic honors.
Morgan Cutler
I have been working in the early childcare field for a few years. I recently graduated from Madison College with an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. A couple of years ago I got recommended to come and work at Red Caboose, and I have been here ever since.
