Pufferfish
Potty Training
Younger 3’s
1:12 Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Maximum Class Size of 12
About the Pufferfish
The Pufferfish classroom is thoughtfully designed for children who are beginning the potty-training journey. In this supportive environment, teachers guide children as they learn and practice this important step toward independence. Our staff works closely with families to create a personalized, strategic plan that meets each child’s needs and readiness. Through patience, consistency, and teamwork, we help children gain confidence and achieve potty-training success.
Curriculum & Daily Activities
During daily circle time, the children start their day with morning greetings and name recognition activities that support early pre-reading skills. They explore the calendar, review the days of the week, listen to age-appropriate stories, and enjoy singing songs together.
Art is an important part of their daily routine. Children participate in both guided crafts and open-ended art inspired by their thematic units. These activities provide a creative outlet while strengthening fine motor skills. Each day also includes music and movement, encouraging self-expression, coordination, and joyful participation.
Throughout the program, children are introduced to a variety of important concepts, including social and verbal development, colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. They also explore music, language, science, and art while building independence through milestones such as potty training.
Potty training is most successful when families and teachers work together. Our teachers provide gentle guidance and encouragement, helping children reach this important step toward greater independence.
Environment
The Pufferfish classroom provides a welcoming environment where children are encouraged to explore, learn, and reach important developmental milestones. The space is designed to support independence, including a child-sized toilet in the classroom to make potty training more comfortable and accessible. Children also enjoy a large playground where they can engage in active outdoor play and continue developing their gross motor skills.
Developmental Milestones
Between 3.5 to 4 years, children will:
Begins to play more cooperatively with peers and enjoys group activities
Shows increased independence and confidence
Can take turns and share with reminders
Expresses a wider range of emotions and begins to manage frustration better
Speaks in longer sentences (4–6 words or more)
Asks many “why,” “how,” and “what” questions
Can retell simple parts of a story or describe experiences
Speech is mostly understandable to adults
Recognizes some letters, colors, and shapes
Begins to count objects and understand simple numbers
Engages in imaginative and pretend play with more detailed storylines
Follows two- to three-step directions
Uses scissors with assistance
Draws simple shapes and begins to draw people with a few body parts
Builds more complex block structures
Improves control with crayons, markers, and paint
Runs, jumps, and climbs with better coordination
Pedals a tricycle or similar ride-on toys
Balances briefly on one foot
Throws and catches a ball with increasing control
Puts on some clothing independently (jackets, shoes with help)
Uses utensils more confidently during meals
Manages bathroom routines with minimal assistance (many are fully potty trained or close)
Why Scripps Exploring Academy?
At Scripps Exploring Academy, we support the students and their families. In our potty training program, we begin by meeting with the parents and going over our plan so that we are all on the same page. By doing so, we can work together to create a stress-free environment for the child and together be more successful.
