About Bayou Tots
Bayou Tots is a thoughtfully designed early childhood program created specifically for toddlers, offering them a nurturing environment where curiosity and discovery are encouraged through engaging, hands-on activities. This program allows young children to explore the world around them in a playful, stimulating way that promotes both cognitive and motor skill development.
Beyond exploration, Bayou Tots also introduces toddlers to the foundations of classroom life. They’ll begin learning how to interact positively with their peers, share and take turns, and follow simple routines—essential steps in developing strong social and emotional skills. Through guided group play and collaborative activities, children gain experience working with others, laying the groundwork for future learning success and positive relationships.
Meet Ms. Missy
Bayou Tots Program Instructor
About Ms. Missy
Hi there! I'm Ms. Missy—a lifelong lover of children, proud mom, and passionate educator. I've been married to my elementary school sweetheart for the past 36 years, and together we’ve raised our greatest joy: our son, Dr. Rhett Orgeron, who now practices Internal Medicine in Austin, Texas.
For over 30 years, I’ve worked with children in just about every way imaginable—daycare teacher, Vacation Bible School preschool leader, Preschool of Religion instructor, and for the past 23 years, a dedicated Teacher Assistant in an elementary school setting. Every moment has been a blessing. Helping children learn, grow, and discover their potential is more than a job—it’s my calling, and I truly love every second of it.
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What makes the Bayou Tots program special for young children?I am excited to work with the Bayou Tots program! I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for these Littles to be in an environment among their peers in a relaxed, fun, semi- structured way where they can learn so many things that are formative to their future school years.
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What’s your favorite hands-on activity to do with toddlers?My favorite hands-on activity to do with preschoolers would probably be playing with play dough. So much can be taught with that. It’s great for their dexterity, hand eye coordination, alphabet forming, number forming, creativity and so much more! I also love reading to my kids. Reading out loud to them is crucial for their development. It fosters language skills, helps with their vocabulary, boosts their imaginations, and can build a lifelong love of reading. In this world of tablets and technology, we need to be reading more to them.
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How do you create a fun, engaging learning environment that helps toddlers feel comfortable and confident in a classroom setting?Creating a fun and engaging learning environment should be an easy task since these kiddos get to hang out at the Children’s Museum! I like to get on kids’ own levels and build their trust. Once that is accomplished, everything else comes easy. As soon as that trust is formed, actual relationships between my students and I should develop fairly easy, and the comfort part usually comes naturally to them.
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What kind of activities can parents expect their little ones to do in your class?My plan is to implement a lot of “learning thru playing” activities. I’d like to focus on shapes, alphabets, numbers, colors, writing, art, music, exercise, outdoor play and story time.
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How do you encourage social skills and teamwork among the kids?The best way to encourage social skills and teamwork with Preschoolers would be to play games where taking turns and sharing are taught. Teaching kids to help each other with their little struggles is also a great way to teach empathy and kindness. I am a big fan of teaching honesty and accountability too, even to Tots!
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What’s one piece of advice you’d give to parents of toddlers starting school for the first time?If your child is just starting a schooling program, my biggest piece of advice would be to trust the Bayou Tots program, trust me and trust the process. Some kids may struggle with separation issues. We can ease them into this by working through it together one Tuesday and Thursday at a time!
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What are you most excited about for this new year at Bayou Tots?I’m very excited to see who my little class of Tots will be! I can’t wait to meet them, to bond with them, and to teach them all that I can in the next school year, not just academically but in all the other ways too!
Program Info
The program runs from August 5th through September 25th, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Sign ups are split up by day for your connivence. Each session is $40. Registration will close the day of the camp at 9:00 AM.
Registration Cost
Registration is priced at $40 per day. Please be aware of the ticket options available; they are separated by age.
Ages
Our program is open to children ages 3 to 5 years old. All participants must be fully potty trained. Enrollment is limited, with a maximum of 5 children in the 3-year-old class (Class A) and 10 children in the 4–5-year-old class (Class B).
Sample Schedule
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9:00am: Welcome
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9:15am - 10:15am: Structured Play / Lessons
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10:15am - 10:30am: Snack
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10:30am - 11:30am: Outside Exploration / Structured Play
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11:30am - 12:15pm: Lunch
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12:15pm - 12:30pm: Story / Puppet show
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12:30pm - 2:00pm: Nap / Rest
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2:00pm - 2:15pm: Snack
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2:15pm - 3:00pm: Stations
What to bring?
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Refillable water bottle
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Packed lunch *see restrictions
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Extra clothes
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Small Child’s Blanket & Pillow
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Jacket
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Sunscreen
*Lunch restrictions: Campers must bring a nut-free lunch. We can’t heat or keep food cold, so pack a lunch with an ice pack or thermos.
Provided by BCCM
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Morning / Afternoon Snack
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Nap Mat
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All Lesson Supplies
