Nebo Crossing Junior Academy

Our TINY TURTLES

The Tiny Turtles Class has lots to offer your little explorer. Now that they are becoming more mobile, there are new activities and learning opportunities awaiting them.

One of the primary goals of the Nebo Crossing Junior Academy Tiny Turtles Class is to encourage smooth transitions.

In the Tiny Turtles Class, everything we do is centered around preparation for their next step—the Busy Bees. While this class shares much of the same curriculum as the turtles room, there are some significant differences. These differences reflect your child’s increased physical ability, decreased dependency for basic needs, increased motor activity, and growing awareness of the world around them.

As an infant, your little one was sitting on the sidelines—now they are starting to get into the game.

On the Move

Children typically transition into our Tiny Turtles Class around their first birthday as they become more independent and ready for new learning experiences. This classroom provides a structured yet nurturing environment designed to help children prepare for their next step into the toddler program.

Our teachers thoughtfully plan and implement activities that support each child’s growth and development as they prepare for their next stage at NCJA. Daily communication is provided to keep families informed about their child’s eating, sleeping, and overall day.

In the Tiny Turtles Class, we focus on building confidence in walking and movement, transitioning fully to table foods, and developing early social skills such as sharing and understanding personal space. We also begin introducing basic sign language, including “please,” “more,” and “thank you,” to support early communication.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Daily Snapshot

Sensory play and hands-on learning experiences
Coordination and fine motor skill development
Practice with self-feeding and drinking from cups
Continued transition to table foods
Strengthening walking and overall movement skills
Storytime and early language development through books
Increased social interaction and guided peer play

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Nebo Crossing Junior Academy’s Tiny Turtles Class is designed to serve as a thoughtful transition into our Busy Bees classroom. While many programs move children quickly into the next stage, we believe children benefit from a gradual and intentional transition as they grow and develop.

That’s why so much of our focus in the Tiny Turtles Class is placed on preparing children for the expectations of the Busy Bees classroom—building independence, strengthening social skills, and helping them feel confident and ready for their next step.