Toddlers
With so many toddler milestones, our program provides a warm, stimulating, and safe environment for children to grow and learn.
About the Toddler Class
Our toddler class is for children turning one by August 31st. Parents/caregivers stay for every class and alternate between assisting Teacher Aria in the classroom and spending time in small discussion groups with other parents and their Parent Educator. These small groups give parents a chance to discuss parenting concerns and challenges with each other, supported by their Parent Educator.
The daily schedule includes developmentally appropriate activities for art, sensory play, imaginative play, developing fine motor skills, and gross motor active play inside and outside. We also have fun during circle time with songs, puppets, flannel board stories, musical instruments, and dancing.
The Rundown
Age: For children age 1 by August 31st
Meets: Thursdays, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Cost: $80/month + NSC tuition of $57.42/quarter
(subject to change each school year)
Teacher: Aria Prame Hill (read about her below)
Parent Educator: Jharman Lightner (read about her below)
Questions? Email: victoryheightstoddlers@gmail.com
Class Schedule
11:00–11:30 Outdoor/Indoor Large Motor Play
11:30–11:50 Wash hands / Snack / Lunch / Announcements
11:50–12:30 Free Play & Parent Education (1/2 parents upstairs with class, 1/2 downstairs in discussion group with parent educator)
12:30–12:35 Clean Up and Transition
12:35–12:55 Circle Time: Songs, Puppets, Dancing
12:55–1:00 Stamps and Goodbyes
Parent Role
Parents/caregivers play an important role in our school. They function as assistant teachers every week in the classroom and hold positions to help run the co-op (everything from All-School Chair to Fundraising Reps to Arts and Crafts Parent). Co-op business and parent education take place in a monthly meeting.
Family participation provides a high adult-to-child ratio, lower cost than other preschool models, and a strong community of children and parents. The model creates not only a rich learning environment for children but also supports families in their parenting journey.
Full Parent Responsibilities can be found on our Registration page
More about the Co-op Model can be found on our What is Co-op? page and on the North Seattle Co-ops website
Teacher Aria
Aria Prame Hill has always found a way to combine her love of music and teaching children. After graduating from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Aria went on to pursue her passion as a jazz vocalist, studying music and performing.
She brings with her a myriad of experiences that include teaching at-risk preschoolers for AmeriCorps, teaching English to Nepalese school children in a remote village, working one-on-one with children with varying developmental disabilities, and bringing music classes to daycares and preschools around Seattle. Since 2010, Aria has been teaching young children and their families the early fundamentals of music through singing and movement in the early childhood program Music Together.
She loves capturing a child’s focus with engaging songs, rhythms, and stories and finds that moment of connection to be the most rewarding part of teaching young children. Aria believes in finding the unique interests of each child in order to guide their learning in an ever evolving way through play and free exploration.
Jharman Lightner, Parent Educator
Jharman Lightner is a PhD candidate in Developmental Psychology. She is a scientist, educator and entrepreneur. She really enjoys learning and imparting knowledge. Jharman is passionate about healthy child development, particularly emotional development, as it serves as a predictive factor for psychological and emotional wellness in adulthood. She is a strong advocate for the safety and well-being of children and families.
Jharman has over 15 years of experience in various parts of the psychology field including research, clinical services, and education. She has worked with children of all developmental stages, from birth to early childhood to middlehood and adolescence. Jharman also has experience with diagnosing and treating children with varying exceptionalities such as autism, ADHD, and emotional disorders. She has been a small business owner of a direct care mental health company for about a decade and currently owns a psychological health and wellness consulting firm.
Jharman was born and raised in Alabama and relocated to the Pacific Northwest two years ago. She is a proud mother to two children: a son in the 11th grade and a daughter in the 7th grade. Jharman loves traveling, hiking and pilates. She absolutely enjoys basking in the sun and freestyle dancing!
Questions?
To request more information, email: victoryheightstoddlers@gmail.com
Ready to Register?
Visit our Registration Page for all the links and details you need.