Cognitive milestones significant to pre-kindy 2-3 year olds include the ability to categorise objects into respective sections such as separating different coloured toys into piles, operating mechanical toys involving wind-up mechanisms and the ability to complete simple puzzle boards.

At Oz Education, our STEM certified centres embed age-appropriate Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics concepts into our daily curriculum through purposeful play to help develop critical thinking and cognitive skills in little ones. Moreover activities including story-telling, interactive play and singing which promotes collaboration, creativity and problem solving skills enhance the progression towards such milestones.

As toddlers develop, by 2-3 years they should have a familiar adult they consult with as a secure base for where they can independently explore new environments. Moreover, development of self awareness as an individual separate from parents is achieved whilst a basic understanding of rules and routines are also followed.

Our curriculum seeks to prioritise the socio-emotional development of your pre-kindy 2-3 year old through engaging group play that places children in diverse spaces to explore their sense of self and awareness of others. We aim to promote collaboration through activities including social play, song, sports and focused learning experiences. Our caring educators also nurture the socio-emotional development of our early learners by fostering a space for children to confidently explore their sense of self.

Physical milestones significant in the development of pre-kindy 2-3 year olds include the capability to begin helping with dress and hygiene routines, holding pencils between the thumb and two fingers as opposed to a fist and showing physical control and dexterity when holding and using different toys and tools such as glue sticks.

At Oz Education we seek to develop the physical confidence of our early learners through our on-site co-curricular Sports & Dance programs that offer many benefits to build a strong and healthy body and mindset that helps children thrive. Furthermore our celebration of Sports Week encouraging numerous age-appropriate physical activities promotes a healthy lifestyle in your little one. Skills of coordination, balance and control are all fostered through such curriculum programs and activities.

Language and communication milestones which 2-3 year olds achieve include the capability to say two or more words together such as ‘big yellow bus’ and recognise different songs or phrases and join in. Moreover, pre-kindy aged children should also be able to respond and communicate through pointing and indicating different things with physical communication.

At Oz Education we aim to help your child develop their language and communication skills through our educational programs that prioritise the growth in vocabulary and linguistic understanding. For example, our STEM and early learning programs strive to introduce new words to our early learners whilst also involving direct communication between children and educators. Moreover, reading and language skills are developed through activities such as active story-telling that develop speech and language skills.

As toddlers begin to explore their independence and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them, their creativity starts to blossom. At this stage, they begin to engage in imaginative play, using objects and toys in new and inventive ways. At Oz Education, we support and nurture this creativity through structured activities that encourage exploration and expression.

Through art projects, sensory play, and storytelling, toddlers develop the ability to express themselves in a variety of ways. Activities like drawing with crayons, building with blocks, or role-playing help enhance their fine motor skills and spark imaginative thinking. These creative experiences not only support their developmental milestones but also lay the foundation for complex problem-solving skills and emotional expression as they grow.

Toddlers are naturally curious and eager to understand how things work. At this stage, their growing cognitive skills allow them to explore basic STEM concepts, and at Oz Education, we provide them with the tools and experiences to nurture that curiosity. Toddlers begin to grasp simple problem-solving skills, such as figuring out how objects fit together or recognizing patterns. Our curriculum includes activities like sorting games, simple puzzles, and playing with building blocks that help toddlers explore foundational STEM concepts, such as shapes, sizes, and numbers. These activities encourage logical thinking and help toddlers start to recognize relationships between objects and their surroundings.

In addition to problem-solving, toddlers at Oz Education are introduced to the world of basic engineering through activities that involve simple machines like ramps, pulleys, and levers. These hands-on experiences allow children to explore cause and effect in an engaging and fun way, helping them develop spatial awareness and an understanding of the physical world. By incorporating STEM-related activities into daily routines, we foster an environment where toddlers can experiment, make discoveries, and build their critical thinking skills. As they explore these concepts, they develop a strong foundation for future learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.