Drop-In Friendly Toddler Time with Amethyst - Little Animal Explorers

June 3, 2026 at 10:00am

About Toddler Time

Toddler Time with Amethyst is a play‑based early childhood program at Kidzeum, designed specifically for toddlers ages 1–3 and their caregivers. Each session supports the whole child through hands-on sensory exploration, fine motor development, early cognitive growth, and emotionally responsive adult-child interactions.

This program is grounded in an understanding of toddler development, honoring children’s need for movement, repetition, autonomy, and sensory input as they learn.

Toddler Time is free with museum admission.

🐄 WEEK 1 — FARM FRIENDS

Sensory Station — Muddy Farm Wash

Brown oobleck becomes thick, cool “mud” for stamping animals, pressing footprints, dragging hooves, and exploring textures.

Children can then bring animals to a water wash station with sponges and soft brushes.

Fine Motor Station — Big and Little Animal Match

Large laminated animals paired with small Velcro pieces for matching, pressing, pulling, and comparing.

Art Station — Contact Paper Sheep

Cotton balls and tissue paper are pressed onto sticky sheep silhouettes. No glue, no paint, no drying.

Playdough Station — Farm Mats

Cow, pig, sheep, and horse mats paired with dough or play foam.

Open-Ended Exploration — Animal Sorting Houses

Children place animals into small houses, exploring sorting, categorization, and pretend play.

Educator Reflection:

Toddlers are drawn to the transformation from muddy to clean. This experience supports curiosity, cause and effect, and joyful sensory play.

Meet Your Educator

Amethyst Hamm, STEAM Educator at Kidzeum

Toddler Time is led by Amethyst Hamm, Kidzeum’s STEAM Educator and an early childhood specialist who joined the team in September 2025. Amethyst brings six years of hands-on classroom experience — three years as a lead toddler teacher and three years as a float teacher — and a deep understanding of toddlers’ rhythms, curiosity, and capacity to learn through play.

She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln Land Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Illinois State University, along with an Illinois Professional Educator License (K–2) and a Special Education Letter of Approval (birth–2nd grade). Amethyst also holds her Gateways Level 5 Infant–Toddler Credential and Gateways Level 5 Early Childhood Credential, the highest credential levels recognized for early childhood educators in Illinois — reflecting her advanced expertise in supporting young children’s learning and development.

Currently, Amethyst is pursuing a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Early Intervention, as well as an Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Certificate and a Developmental Therapist Credential. Her ongoing training reflects her commitment to supporting not only children’s learning, but their emotional wellbeing and family relationships.

In Toddler Time, you’ll experience Amethyst’s gift for creating spaces where children feel safe, seen, and eager to explore. Every song, sensory bin, and art material is chosen with intention and aligned with the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines — ensuring that play is not only fun, but meaningful.