Clownfish
Potty Training
Older 3’s
1:12 Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Maximum Class Size of 12
About the Clownfish
The Clownfish classroom is designed for our older three-year-olds who are completing the final stages of potty training. It provides a supportive environment for children who may need a little extra time and encouragement as they build confidence and independence. Students continue learning through a theme-based curriculum while being gently challenged with activities that reflect their growing abilities and age.
Curriculum & Daily Activities
The Clownfish classroom offers a fun and engaging learning environment where children are encouraged to grow academically and socially.
During circle time, they explore the calendar and begin learning the days of the week. Teachers read stories aloud and guide discussions to help strengthen early reading comprehension. Children also enjoy singing educational songs and using movement to support kinesthetic learning.
Students practice counting and develop early math skills through one-to-one correspondence. They continue reviewing the alphabet while building a stronger foundation in phonics. Art is an important part of the classroom experience and includes both guided crafts and open-ended projects connected to their thematic units. These activities provide a creative outlet while helping to strengthen fine motor skills. Music and movement are also incorporated into each day to encourage expression and active learning.
Throughout the program, children are introduced to a variety of concepts including the alphabet, shapes, colors, and numbers. They also begin exploring letter writing, simple words, reading text, making predictions, poetry, reading comprehension, math, manners, and science.
Environment
The Clownfish classroom is spacious and thoughtfully designed, offering many areas for children to explore, learn, and engage in hands-on activities. Their playground provides plenty of room for outdoor play, encouraging movement and helping develop gross motor skills. The classroom also features a child-sized toilet, making it easy for children to access and supporting their growing independence.
Developmental Milestones
By 4 years, children will:
Pretend to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog, etc)
Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
Likes to be a “helper”
Changes behavior based on where they are (place of worship, library, playground, etc.)
Says sentences with four or more words
Says some words fro ma song, story, or nursery rhyme
Talks about at least one thing that happened during their day like “I played soccer.”
Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
Names a few colors of items
Tells what comes next in a well-known story
Draws a person with three or more body parts
Catches a large ball most of the time
Serves their own food or pours water with adult supervision
Unbuttons some buttons
Holds crayons or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)
Why Scripps Exploring Academy?
At Scripps Exploring Academy, we believe in hands-on learning. Our preschool program balances traditional academics such as shape, color, number, and letter identification with hands-on learning experiences such as working with tongs to sort pom-poms or pour water in a sensory table. We are also invested in our students’ social and emotional wellbeing and development and firmly believe that it is a valuable part of their curriculum.
