FACS classes host annual Toddler Day

Once a year, the Human Growth and Development classes host an annual ‘Toddler Day,’ where kids from the age of 10 months to 10 years old had the whole day to do activities with the classes. The high school students arranged these activities and helped the younger kids while playing.
“Last year, while teaching Human Growth and Development, I wanted to add some activities that would be hands on and interactive for the students,” FACS teacher Caroline Friday said. “I thought having toddlers come in for the day would be a great way to incorporate learning about toddlers and school-aged kids. Talking and learning about toddlers is one, thing but working with them is completely different. It really shows the kids how unpredictable, fun, and energetic they can be.
The high school students planned out the whole day for the toddlers with different activities each block.
“Some activities we planned were a scavenger hunt, eating pancakes, baking cookies and pizza and making crafts,” sophomore Kaitlyn Bell said. “The kids looked like they had a blast. They got their energy out and laughed a Iot.”
‘Toddler Day’ helps the high school students work on important skills necessary for their everyday life.
“I think it helps the DHS students learn what it is really like to entertain and work with young kids. It can be a very different experience than what they expect,” Friday said. “I hope it helps them connect the things they have learned in class with a real life experience.”
Seeing little kids explore and learn new things can be just as amusing for the older students as it is for the toddlers.
“I had lots of fun with them. They say the funniest things that sometimes catch you off guard,” sophomore Kaylee West said. “Just seeing them having fun and learning new things and the proudness they get while doing something new is the best part.”
Some students might decide to work with older kids, rather than younger kids in their future.
“I don’t want to work with young kids in the future I prefer working with much older kids because they don’t need as much help and watching over. Older kids can go to the bathroom by themselves without getting lost,” Bell said.
Friday, plans on having ‘Toddler Day’ every year for as long as she can because it brings joy to not only the young kids, but to her and the older students as well.