Sorting, counting & patterns
Early math through play — sorting by color and size, counting snacks, matching games and simple patterns with real objects.
Back to Our Curriculum
G.R.A.D.E. Age Pathways · 2 – 3 years
G.R.A.D.E. Discoverers™
Curiosity leads. We follow with intention.
Two- and three-year-olds ask 'why?' with their whole bodies. In the Discoverers™ pathway, the G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™ turns that curiosity into sorting and counting, sensory and science invitations, storytelling, pretend play and art — while friendship, self-regulation and self-help skills grow alongside.
Age-Appropriate Activities
What Discoverers™ do each day
Every activity follows the G.R.A.D.E. Learning Process — Connect, Invite, Teach, Explore, Observe, Reflect, Share — adapted to this stage's readiness.
Science & sensory invitations
Pouring, mixing, floating and sinking, magnifying glasses and nature treasures — hands-on questions with hands-on answers.
Storytelling & early literacy
Interactive read-alouds, retelling stories with props, rhyming games and name recognition woven into daily routines.
Pretend & dramatic play
Kitchens, costumes and community helpers — where language, empathy and imagination take off together.
Art & creative expression
Painting, collage, sculpting and process art where the making matters far more than the product.
Self-help & life skills
Hand-washing, dressing practice, pouring, serving snacks and toileting routines — growing 'I can do it myself' pride.
Developmental Milestones
What we watch for and nurture
Milestones are observed, documented and shared with families — never forced. Every child develops on their own timeline, and our educators adapt each day's invitations accordingly.
Thinking & reasoning
- Sorts objects by shape and color
- Counts toward five and beyond with one-to-one correspondence emerging
- Completes simple puzzles and nesting toys
- Asks 'why?' and makes early predictions
Language & communication
- Speaks in three- to four-word sentences
- Tells simple stories and answers questions about books
- Vocabulary expands rapidly through conversation and songs
- Begins recognizing their own name in print
Social & emotional
- Begins real cooperative play with friends
- Practices taking turns with educator support
- Names feelings and uses simple calming strategies
- Shows empathy — comforting a friend who is sad
Physical & self-help
- Runs, jumps and climbs with growing coordination
- Uses crayons and scissors with developing control
- Manages hand-washing and dressing with less help
- Progresses through toileting at an individual pace
A Day in the Life
Rhythm and predictability, Monday through Thursday
Grade Club's regular care week is Monday – Thursday. Times shift with each child's needs — especially for infants, who follow their own feeding and rest rhythms.
- ArrivalA confident, familiar morning routine — hanging up belongings, choosing a first activity, greeting friends.
- MorningMonday introduces the week's idea; children investigate it through science invitations, sorting games, snack and outdoor play.
- MiddayLunch with self-help practice, story time, then rest or quiet time to recharge.
- AfternoonArt, pretend play, music and movement, and small-group storytelling before pickup.
- PickupA Brightwheel recap of meals, rest, toileting, activities and the day's discoveries.
Part of the G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™
Pillars this pathway emphasizes
- Reasoning & Discovery — sorting, counting, patterns and hands-on science.
- Growing Minds — storytelling, rhymes, name recognition and rich conversation.
- Developing Hearts — friendship, turn-taking, empathy and self-regulation.
- Expression & Language — dramatic play, art, music and world-language songs.
- Active Bodies — coordination, self-help skills and healthy daily habits.
The Home Connection
How we keep you close
- Meals, rest, toileting progress and activities documented in Brightwheel.
- Developmental observations and learning experiences shared with context, not just checkmarks.
- Photos and classroom updates when your family has authorized them.
- Conversation starters — what we investigated this week — so you can continue it at home.
Daily updates — meals, rest, diapering or toileting, activities and developmental observations — are shared through Brightwheel, with photos when authorized.
Private · Small-Group · Intentional
See G.R.A.D.E. Discoverers™ in person
Tour our private, small-group program in Avondale, Arizona and see how this pathway feels for your child.
Questions? Call 480-389-6357