L.E.A.P.® Curriculum
for Preppers
Our approach to education
for Preppers (2 1/2 to 3 years old)
The Prepper program was designed to meet the special needs of maturing children to build a perfect bridge to the classroom that will come next.
My Little L.E.A.P.® Books
As children reach this stage, they experience rapid increases in physical, cognitive, developmental and social skills. We introduce them to My Little L.E.A.P.® Books, designed to challenge those skills and to teach children about language, letter recognition, shapes, colors, numbers, science, manners, etiquette, math, art, music and physical fitness.
Reinforced Potty Training
Once children are mature enough to handle “potty time” by themselves, they may enter our Prepper program, where continued potty training is reinforced and teachers are prepared for “potty accidents.”
Computers and Technology
As society becomes increasingly more driven by technology, it’s more important that children are introduced to technology at an early age. At TLE®, our Preppers begin this early education process with a very basic introduction to computers and technology.
What our curriculum for Preppers includes
- Our My Little L.E.A.P. Books, a workbook that teaches and reinforces concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, sequencing and letter awareness
- Interactive play, music, and dance.
- Continued manners and etiquette lessons that teach the importance of good behavior, sharing and kindness.
- Outdoor time encourages social engagement in plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
- Daily physical fitness lessons that promote staying healthy and active.
- Introduction to our computers and technology in the classroom including daily lessons on our L.E.A.P. Interactive board that bring our curriculum to life.
- Continued potty training support with the help of our loving educators and caregivers.
Our programs for Preppers
Technology and L.E.A.P.® Interactive
We see technology as necessary knowledge for the modern world. That’s why our Technology and L.E.A.P. Interactive® early childhood education programs introduce our children to our proprietary L.E.A.P. Interactive board, as well as L.E.A.P. Interactive workbooks, giving them hands-on learning through cutting edge technology. Using digital tools, they apply learned concepts such as tracing, tapping and dragging, or circling to focus attention on lessons.
Lessons are brought to life through applications such as Google Earth™ and real-time videos that reinforce learning through exploration and discovery. These state-of-the-art digital tools let Preppers travel through the world as they learn about places like Mount Rushmore, the Golden Gate Bridge or the Pyramids of Egypt without leaving the safety and comfort of the classroom.
Manners and Etiquette
We make manners for Preppers the foundation of kindness and good behavior. The children are saying “please” and “thank you,” but also going above and beyond to act out kindness with their peers, by learning to say nice and encouraging things.
Our proprietary character puppets are a great tool for the children, such as Penny Polite® who helps re-enact good manner scenarios. Our Manners Readers explore a variety of etiquette situations, including talking on the telephone, behaving well in a restaurant and in public, refraining from name calling and treating their peers with respect. This is a wonderful way to prepare them for the real world and build a foundation for good citizenship as they start to learn about the meaning of philanthropy.
American Sign Language
As our Preppers build on those skills in American Sign Language for children, it becomes about more than knowing to ask for things or express emotions—they’re learning to sign in connection with their lessons about the world. When learning about travel, for example, parents are always amazed at how their children can sign words like “passport” or “suitcase.”
At the beginning of every month, those signs are printed and sent home with families to extend the lesson in American Sign Language for children. The parents are also kept abreast of the Sign Language Alphabet as a resource, and can connect pictures to descriptions of the sign language in order to practice communicating with the children.
Physical Fitness Programs
TLE® makes physical fitness an important part of early childhood education, with the help of our friend, Flexi Flamingo, who teaches our children healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Starting at the Toddler age, children are learning to move their bodies, as well as to keep their bodies and minds healthy by starting to identify healthy choices.
At TLE®, they’ll learn about going to the doctor and about tools medical professionals use to help them stay healthy. They’ll learn, too, about health and hygiene, expressing their emotions and calming their anxieties with calming yoga for children, and are even offered ways to develop their gross motor skills with balancing, walking, hopping on one foot or two feet, and more.
Our programs for Preppers
6:30–8:30 Early Arrival Program
8:00–8:30 Greeting the Preppers/Parent Communication Free Play
Art, Sensory, Language, Math, Fine Motor; Child-Initiated Activities
8:30–8:50 Circle Time
Finger Plays, Songs, Welcoming Activities
8:50–9:15 Snack Time
Nutritious snack will be served, Manners Matter, Potty Time, Etc.
9:15–10:00 Centers/My Little L.E.A.P.® Books
10:00–10:15 Physical Fitness with Flexi Flamingo®
Children will engage in physical exercise and routines, and discuss healthy bodies and nutrition.
10:15–10:30 Language Skills/Library/Storytelling
Emphasis on Language Development: Puppets, Games, Age-Appropriate Books, Rhymes, Etc.
10:30–11:00 Playground Time
Gross Motor Skills, Coordination, Balance, Tossing Balls, Etc.
11:00–11:30 Art & Sensory
Creative activities enhance emotional development: Finger Painting, Pasting, Sand & Water Table, Clay, Crayons, Water Colors, Etc.
11:30–2:30 Lunch/Rest Time/Quiet Activities/Self Help Skills
2:30–3:00 Snack Time
Nutritious snack will be served, Manners Matter, Potty Time, Etc.
3:00–3:20 L.E.A.P. Interactive®
Hands-On Technology with Interactive Board, Interactive-Theme Based Lessons, Real-Time Videos, Workbook Connections
3:20–3:40 Circle Time
Finger Plays, Songs, Goodbye Songs
3:40–4:00 Fine Motor and Math Skills
Matching, Classifying, Numbers
4:00–4:30 Playground Time
Gross Motor Skills: Coordination, Balance Tossing Balls, Etc.
4:30–5:30 Centers/Free Play
Art, Sensory, Math, Language, Computer, Dramatic Play, and Child-Initiated Activities
5:30–5:45 Music and Movement
Rhythmic Movement, Singing, Listening, Dancing, Social Interaction
5:45–6:30 Table Toys/Pick-Up
(Diapering is provided and supervised on an as needed basis; potty training encouraged.)
Our year-end milestones
Every day will be a fun new adventure at TLE® for your little one, and while our lessons and curriculum prepare them to meet important goals, we want to ensure they are developing at the right pace.
A snapshot of several of the many milestones your Prepper should reach this year:
- Consistently follow simple, two-step directions
- Become familiar with routines and understand the flow of the day
- Demonstrate large muscle movements such as balancing, catching balls, and standing on one foot
- Initiate pretend play scenarios with teachers and peers
- Respond to questions asked by teachers and other trusted adults using three- to five-word phrases consistently
- Use increased vocabulary and ask questions such as, “Why?” and “What’s that?”
- Demonstrate independent self-help skills such as washing hands, toileting, and feeding
- Intentionally select toys and materials for play and exploration
- Intentionally select peers to play with
Enrichment Programs for Preppers
Our enrichment programs are an extension of the curriculum, providing in-depth, hands-on learning experiences to our little learners enabling them to develop mastery in a fun and engaging manner. At no additional cost, our enrichment curriculum provides a home-to-school connection for all children with specifically chosen kits to take home following each session, allowing the continuation of the child’s passion outside of the classroom.
Little Musicians
Our Little Musicians Enrichment Program provides age-appropriate kits for our little learners to use to explore instruments, beats, and songs. They will use their creative expression, interact with their peers, and ultimately build confidence as they learn emotional regulation and strengthen their cognitive language abilities. Parents will have the opportunity to join in a family showcase at the end of the program to support home learning.
Little Engineers
Our Little Engineers enrichment program provides age-appropriate kits for our little learners to use to participate in problem-solving activities that encourage creativity, perseverance, and real-life application skills. Children will work through challenges and tasks individually, in pairs, or as a team, leading to the strengthening of relationships and social-emotional regulation. Parents will have the opportunity to join in a family showcase at the end of the program to support home learning.
Summer Program
Our Summer Program provides age-appropriate activities to help our little learners discover the benefits of an active lifestyle by sharing the joys of fitness and making healthy choices. Speak to a TLE® center near you for more information.
Little Engineers
Preppers kit:
The Prepper enrichment kit is specially designed to meet age-appropriate developmental milestones, supporting cognitive development. Through active learning experiences, children explore problem-solving activities that encourage creativity, perseverance, and real-life application. Children can explore, through active learning experiences provided in the prepper kit, resources such as a water jug, dropper, submarine, measuring cups, to hypothesize and test scientific ideas! All these items go home at the end of the 17-week program to continue their learning!