Village vs Our Time. Which one is right for my child?

Moving from Village to Our Time has much less to do with physical maturity (they all develop at different rates) than emotional maturity. Here’s the main difference between Village and Our Time - until your child is somewhere between 16 and 18 months (this is true for EVERY baby, and doesn’t happen any earlier), he literally thinks that he is Mom. (Not dad or nanny or grandma.)

She is blissfully unaware that the two of you are not the same person. She still lives in your skin, from an emotional point of view, though she may have figured out that you sometimes go away, and may even be okay with that. So the activities in a Village class are designed to provide him with a secure community that is there to nurture and adore him, to allow her to socialize and play with other adults and babies and to explore their world with music as a constant traveling companion.

A Village class is filled with things that stimulate the developing brain of a child, and the activities are designed to create the best bond possible between Mother and baby, so that when the storm of toddlerdom arrives (at about 18 months), the child is emotionally secure enough to go forth and develop an identity that is functional and healthy. The bonds that they build with the other babies and caregivers in class will have provided them with a first experience of community. This experience allows them to see the world as a wonderful place to live and grow in and full of loving and kind individuals just waiting to share the joy of living.

At about 18 months, the toddler begins to develop a self-identity that is separate from you, as well as the idea of becoming their own person. This process can be trying, and funny, and endearing. It includes a great deal of clinging (separation anxiety) and the same amount of pushing away. Sometimes they are happening at the same time – poor mommies! The 18 month old is increasingly independent and wanting to do things for themselves, but since they are not necessarily as competent as their wishes for independence require, they get frustrated. This is, of course, your fault. How could you have dared to simply yank back your identity? In their eyes, when ever any thing goes wrong it is your fault – bad mommy!! So they constantly need you to help them, need you to not help them, need you to be there, need you to be not there.

Our Time is geared toward these children, to help them gain the independence they crave, but letting them know that you are right there to provide the comfort, support, safety and encouragement they still need. The activities in an Our Time class are designed to be successful for the burgeoning independent toddler, but also to challenge them just enough so that they can build a positive self image. These same activities can then be easily altered for the more competent 2 to 2 ½ year old and altered again for the “I can finally do it” early 3 year old, who by then really can do it! This applies to the language, fine motor and gross motor skills, as well as the emotional skills every child needs to be successful. If you place a child into Our Time that isn’t ready, she won’t have a good time, as the activities won’t match her emotional developmental level.

Our goal is to find the best class fit for you and your children. If you are ever unsure of which class is the right one, please ask. We’d be delighted to assist you!

posted by Miss Analiisa, who gets asked this question alot!