Hands-on discovery baskets
Rotating baskets of safe, interesting objects to dump, fill, stack, sort and carry — the serious work of toddler problem-solving.
Back to Our Curriculum
G.R.A.D.E. Age Pathways · 12 – 24 months
G.R.A.D.E. Explorers™
New legs, new words, whole new world.
Emerging walkers and talkers are scientists at full speed. In the Explorers™ pathway, the G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™ channels that energy into hands-on materials, simple problem-solving, music and movement, first words and picture books — all inside gentle, predictable routines that let confidence and independence grow.
How learning happens at this stage
Toddlers learn with their whole bodies. Exploration at this stage is active, messy and joyful — dumping, filling, carrying, climbing and repeating — and every bit of it is building the brain. Educators stay close, narrate constantly, and turn everyday moments into language and discovery.
Age-Appropriate Activities
What Explorers™ 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.
First words & picture books
Naming games, pointing books, songs with gestures and constant warm narration that grow vocabulary day by day.
Music & movement
Dancing, clapping, marching, instruments and action songs — coordination, rhythm and language rolled into one.
Sensory & messy play
Water, sand, dough, paint and textured materials that build fine-motor skills and early science thinking.
Big-body play
Climbing, pushing, pulling, riding and ball play that strengthen new walkers and burn joyful energy.
Everyday independence
Gentle practice with cups, spoons, hand-washing and helping to tidy — the first steps of self-help skills.
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.
Gross motor
- Walks independently, then begins to run
- Climbs onto furniture and up stairs with help
- Squats to pick up toys and stands back up
- Kicks and throws a ball forward
Fine motor
- Stacks two to four blocks
- Scribbles with crayons and turns board-book pages
- Uses a spoon and drinks from an open cup with help
- Completes simple inset puzzles
Language & communication
- Vocabulary grows from a few words toward fifty and beyond
- Points to named pictures and body parts
- Follows simple one-step directions
- Begins combining two words near age two
Social & emotional
- Plays alongside other children and watches them closely
- Shows growing independence — and big feelings to match
- Seeks familiar adults for comfort and reassurance
- Begins imitating caregivers and pretend play
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 warm, predictable goodbye routine, then straight into a favorite activity with a trusted educator.
- MorningDiscovery baskets, sensory play, music and movement, snack, and outdoor big-body play.
- MiddayLunch with growing self-feeding practice, then a calm, consistent nap routine.
- AfternoonBooks and naming games, art and messy play, and free exploration with educator narration.
- PickupA Brightwheel recap of meals, rest, diapering or toileting, activities and new words heard that day.
Part of the G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™
Pillars this pathway emphasizes
- Active Bodies — walking, climbing, running and the coordination of new movers.
- Growing Minds — first words, picture books, naming and early problem-solving.
- Exploring Our World — sensory discovery, nature moments and hands-on materials.
- Developing Hearts — confidence, gentle routines and managing big new feelings.
- Expression & Language — music, movement, art and playful world-language exposure through song.
The Home Connection
How we keep you close
- Meals, naps, diapering and toileting updates shared in Brightwheel.
- New words, new skills and favorite activities noted as they emerge.
- Photos and classroom updates when your family has authorized them.
- Simple at-home ideas — songs, books and games — that extend the week's invitations.
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. Explorers™ 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