Areas of Focus

Exploration

1-Year-Olds are eager to learn about their world through exploration, whether playing with a new texture in the classroom's sensory bin or experimenting with water in our outdoor space. Teachers Karen and Kirsten provide them with ample opportunities to do so.

Play

Being play-based in their approach, Teachers Karen and Kirsten wholeheartedly believe that 1-year-olds and young children alike learn through play, so they set up prompts throughout the classroom to encourage the children to engage (think: tape on the floor to imitate car lanes, babies positioned in a circle "playing" with classroom toys, etc).  ​

Cooperation

Even though these students are our youngest, we encourage and guide them on how to cooperate with their peers, emphasizing taking turns, engaging with one another in group activities, and playing as a group.

YOUNG TODDLER SCHEDULE

9:05am
9:30am
10am
10:20am
11:20am
12pm
​12:45pm

Arrival
Handwashing and snack
Diaper check
Outside time
Handwashing and lunch
Diaper check
​Time to go home

Young Toddler Teachers

Teacher Karen

I have been SWPCC’s young toddler teacher since 1990 and have worked with children for over 30 years. The school’s Young Toddler program is unique in offering a daily 4-hour program for 1- and 2-year olds. Like the other classes offered at SWPCC, active parent involvement is essential to the success of the program. 

I try hard to make the young toddler room a busy, happy place. The ever-changing activities I organize are designed to promote a lifelong love of learning: lots of music and dancing, books, blocks, texture table, play-dough, messy art projects, and outside play time each day. Here very young children have open-ended opportunities to experience the joys of discovery, friendships, and trust. I love working with children this age. It is truly amazing to see how much they develop during the year they spend in my class.

I am a native Oregonian and earned a Bachelor's degree in geology from Colorado College. My teaching experience includes natural history education work at OMSI, Outdoor Schools, and the Garden of the Gods. Before taking the job of Young Toddler teacher, I spent 7 years as a SWPCC parent with my own two children.

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In 2022, Teacher Karen was honored with the Susie Stone Outstanding Educator Award from Parent Cooperative Preschools International. In her nomination, a colleague wrote, ​"As the teacher of the youngest children at SWPCC, Karen Barrett has been a crucial member of the community for over 30 years. She's served many roles but is best know as our beloved Young Toddler teacher. Her approach with children has been described by many adults as "absolute magic." She creates playful classroom environments that are rich and inviting. Her warmth and kindness goes far in nurturing a deep sense of belonging for all of the children and families in our community. She centers play and creativity, and consistently and continuously models deep listening with our youngest students." 

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Teacher Kirsten

I’ve been working with young children for eighteen years, and there’s nothing more rewarding than watching them grow, discover, and build confidence in themselves. My teaching journey began in elementary classrooms, but I quickly found my heart in early childhood education, where curiosity, play, and creativity are at the center of learning.

In my years as an early childhood educator, I’ve loved creating engaging, hands-on lessons in art, music, dramatic play, science, and early literacy. Whether we’re exploring a sensory bin, building with blocks, or working on a process art project, my goal is always to spark curiosity and help each child feel capable, confident, and valued. 

Both of my children have attended or are currently attending SWPCC, and last year was mentored by Teacher Karen in the young toddler room. I earned my Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Portland State University and my Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Illinois University. Outside the classroom, I enjoy music, reading, spending time with my family and being outdoors either hiking, running, or walking. I feel especially connected to our cooperative preschool and the amazing community.