Toddlerhood is a period of transitions. Toddlers want to be with their parents and other familiar adults, but they also enjoy meeting new people, especially those of their own age. They still need to be fed, but they want to feed themselves. They begin the period needing two naps a day and often finish it needing only one. They have a great deal to say, but at least at first they are unable to say it
It is during this period that adults begin to expect children to behave according to certain standards. Children must acquire a knowledge of acceptable patterns of behavior and the goals and beliefs of their family and society. This process, known as socialization, involves learning how to get along with other children, how to feed oneself, and how to use the toilet, among other things.
At Hamilton Academy we designate two year olds as "tots" and promote them into a more structured class to help them and the staff deal with their rapid changes.