Guiding Principles of Learning

What Little Learners
Are Growing Into

Numzi is rooted in IB PYP Early Years and Montessori philosophy — where play, curiosity, and real-world exploration build the whole child.

🎓 IB PYP Inspired
🌿 Montessori Principles
🧠 Whole-Child Focus
🎲 Play-Based Learning
Ages 2–6
2-Year-Old Learning Plan

Quarterly Goals 📅

Developmental, play-based goals in IB/PYP style — covering language, social–emotional growth, independence, motor skills, early math, science, and creativity.

Annual Framework · Age 2 → 3 Years · IB PYP + Montessori
🌟 "I am growing, communicating, exploring, and becoming independent."
A full-year developmental framework across language, emotion, independence, movement, curiosity, and imagination. Not academic targets — real whole-child growth.
🗣️Language & Communication
By Age 3
  • Vocabulary expands across emotions, routines, nature, body, actions & relationships
  • Regularly uses 3–5 word phrases, simple sentences, requests & observations
  • Begins asking simple questions, narrating play, singing song parts & finishing story lines
  • Enjoys books daily — identifies pictures, answers questions, retells familiar parts
How We'll Support
  • Daily read-alouds & songs
  • Rich conversation during routines
  • Open-ended questions: "What happened?" / "What do you see?"
  • Pretend play conversations
💛Social & Emotional
By Age 3
  • Recognises & labels: happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, tired, frustrated
  • Uses words, gestures, or calming tools instead of only crying/throwing
  • Improves turn-taking, waiting, transitions & frustration tolerance
  • Develops empathy: comforting dolls, noticing others' feelings, helping
  • Understands simple boundaries, gentle hands & cleanup expectations
How We'll Support
  • Feeling cards, calm-down routines, consistent scripts
  • Pretend play & repair after mistakes
  • Predictable daily routines
🙌Independence
By Age 3
  • Participates in dressing, handwashing, brushing teeth, tidying & simple food prep
  • Completes helper jobs: carrying plates, watering plants, wiping spills, laundry
  • Follows simple routines with less prompting
  • Builds confidence: "I do it myself."
How We'll Support
  • Child-sized tools & accessible shelves
  • Consistent daily routines
  • Real-life participation & slow demonstrations
🏃Physical Development
Gross Motor
  • Runs confidently, jumps with two feet, kicks & throws balls
  • Climbs safely, brief one-foot balance, stairs with growing independence
Fine Motor
  • Scribbles with control, draws lines & circles
  • Stacks blocks, uses spoon/fork, confident pincer grasp
  • Manipulates stickers, playdough & simple tools
How We'll Support
  • Daily outdoor play, obstacle courses, climbing
  • Playdough, pouring/transferring, art invitations
🧮Thinking & Early Math
By Age 3
  • Sorts by colour, size, shape & type
  • Understands big/small, more/less, same/different, empty/full, fast/slow
  • Counts rhythmically to 5–10
  • Completes simple puzzles; begins pattern noticing & simple problem solving
How We'll Support
  • Sorting games, counting songs, snack math
  • Puzzle play, water play, daily comparison language
🔬Science & Curiosity
By Age 3
  • Explores using all senses; asks/answers what, where & why
  • Observes weather, plants, animals, water, shadows & movement
  • Participates in sensory play, mini experiments & nature walks
  • Begins noticing cause & effect, changes, growth & movement
How We'll Support
  • Nature walks, water play, kitchen science, gardening
  • "I notice…" / "What changed?" language
🎨Creative Expression
By Age 3
  • Explores multiple art materials freely
  • Sings familiar songs, dances & moves rhythmically
  • Engages in pretend play: cooking, doctor, animals, family, shops
  • Expresses ideas through movement, drawing, pretend stories & music
How We'll Support
  • Open-ended art, daily music & movement games
  • Pretend play baskets & storytelling
🌿Relationship with Nature & Care
By Age 3
  • Develops care for water, plants, animals & belongings
  • Participates in watering plants, feeding pets, saving water & tidying
  • Builds awareness: "My actions affect the world around me."
PYP-style Big Ideas Across the Year
👤
Who We Are
Body, feelings, routines, family
🌦️
How the World Works
Water, weather, shadows, plants, movement
🎭
How We Express Ourselves
Music, stories, pretend play, art
🌍
Sharing the Planet
Animals, caring, saving water, kindness
✅ End-of-Year Signs of Growth (around Age 3)
Longer conversations
Stronger imagination & pretend play
Better emotional recovery
Less impulsive throwing
Greater independence
More curiosity & questions
Longer focus (10–15 min)
Better body control
The biggest achievement by age 3 is not academic —
it's "I can communicate, explore, connect, and participate in the world with confidence."
Quarter Theme (PYP-style)
🌟 "Who We Are"
I have a body, feelings, routines, and people who care for me. — Naturally covers language, emotions, self-care, and play.
🗣️Language & Communication
Goals
  • Adds 30–60 new words across daily life (food, body, actions, feelings)
  • Starts using 2–3 word phrases more often (e.g., "more water", "big ball")
  • Enjoys daily read-aloud and points/labels pictures
How We'll Support
  • 2 short story times daily (5–10 min)
  • Sing action songs & nursery rhymes
  • "Narrate" her day — speak what she's doing
💛Social & Emotional
Goals
  • Names at least 4 feelings (happy, sad, angry, scared) with help
  • Practises turn-taking in simple games (rolling ball, stacking)
  • Begins using a "help" signal instead of only crying
How We'll Support
  • Feeling cards & mirror faces
  • Role-play with dolls (comforting, sharing)
  • Simple "first–then" language ("first tidy, then play")
🙌Independence
Goals
  • Washes hands with support; attempts drying hands
  • Helps with tidying (puts toys in basket)
  • Attempts putting on shoes/hat and feeding with spoon
How We'll Support
  • Consistent routines (same order daily)
  • "Helper jobs" (carry napkin, put clothes in laundry)
  • Child-sized accessible shelves
🏃Physical Development
Gross Motor
  • Climbs safely, kicks a ball forward
  • Attempts jumping with two feet
Fine Motor
  • Scribbles with crayons; stacks 6–8 blocks
  • Starts simple peg/pincer tasks
How We'll Support
  • Outdoor time daily
  • Playdough, tearing paper, sticker peeling
  • Pouring/transferring with cups & spoons
🧮Thinking & Early Math
Goals
  • Sorts objects by one attribute (colour OR size)
  • Understands "more/less" and "big/small" in play
  • Counts rhythmically to 3–5 (exposure, not mastery)
How We'll Support
  • Sorting baskets (spoons/lids/pom-poms)
  • Snack math ("2 grapes for you, 2 for me")
  • Counting songs
🔬Science & Curiosity
Goals
  • Explores using senses; answers "What do you see/hear/feel?"
  • 1–2 sensory experiments weekly (float/sink, colour mixing, melting ice)
  • Building habit of asking/answering "why/what" with support
How We'll Support
  • Nature walks & "treasure basket"
  • Water play and kitchen science
  • Simple "I notice…" statements
🎨Creative Expression
Goals
  • Uses at least 3 art materials across the quarter (crayon, paint, dough)
  • Joins music/movement daily (clap, dance, instruments)
  • Pretend play with objects (feeding teddy, phone play)
✅ End-of-Quarter Signs of Progress
More words + short phrases
Better routines & small independence
Stronger play attention (5–10 min on one activity)
Improved motor confidence
More calm transitions with predictable structure
Quarter Theme (PYP-style) · Age 2y3m → 2y6m
🎭 "How We Express Ourselves"
"I can express my thoughts, feelings, and ideas through words, movement, art, music, and pretend play." — Imagination explodes during this phase; communication, self-regulation, and confidence take centre stage.
🗣️Language & Communication
Goals
  • Regularly uses 3–5 word sentences, simple conversations, requests & observations
  • Begins asking more questions, describing actions & narrating pretend play
  • Understands and follows 2-step instructions (e.g., "Pick up teddy and put it on the chair")
  • Sings portions of songs independently
How We'll Support
  • Daily conversations & story retelling
  • "What happened?" questions & pretend play dialogue
  • Expand her speech: child says "Dog running" → adult says "Yes, the big dog is running fast!"
💛Social & Emotional
Goals
  • Names happy, sad, angry, scared, excited & frustrated
  • Recovers faster after frustration; uses words more instead of throwing
  • Waits briefly during turns; shows increasing empathy in pretend play
  • Practises gentle hands, simple boundaries & cleanup routines
How We'll Support
  • Calm-down routines, feeling charts & breathing games
  • Consistent scripts & repair after mistakes
  • Pretend emotional situations through play
🙌Independence
Goals
  • More active participation in dressing, handwashing, brushing teeth, snack setup & tidying
  • Completes helper jobs: watering plants, wiping spills, carrying dishes, putting clothes away
  • Begins saying "I do it myself"
  • Follows familiar routines with less prompting
How We'll Support
  • Child-sized tools & accessible shelves
  • Daily helper routines with consistent order
  • Slow demonstrations
🏃Physical Development
Gross Motor
  • Jumps more confidently, runs with better coordination
  • Climbs safely, kicks/throws with more control, brief balance
  • Pedal motion practice (trike/scooter if available)
Fine Motor
  • Draws lines, circles & dots; uses stickers, tongs & playdough tools
  • Improves pincer grip, spoon/fork use & pouring skills
How We'll Support
  • Outdoor play, obstacle courses, water pouring
  • Playdough, sticker activities, simple cutting exposure (with support)
🧮Thinking & Early Math
Goals
  • Sorts by colour, size, shape & category
  • Understands same/different, empty/full, fast/slow, one/many
  • Counts rhythmically to 5–10
  • Completes simple puzzles, matching tasks & basic patterns
  • Begins predicting outcomes & solving simple problems
How We'll Support
  • Sorting games, puzzle baskets, snack counting
  • Matching socks/lids/cards; "What happens if…?" questions
🔬Science & Curiosity
Goals
  • Observes weather, plants, shadows, water, animals & movement
  • Participates in sensory bins, mini experiments & nature walks
  • Makes simple observations: "Ice is cold." / "Plant is growing."
  • Asks more "What?", "Why?" & "Where?"
How We'll Support
  • Kitchen science, water play, gardening, nature baskets
  • "I notice…" / "What changed?" language daily
🎨Creative Expression & Pretend Play
Goals
  • Engages in longer pretend play sequences: doctor, cooking, shopping, bedtime, animals
  • Explores painting, crayons, collage, dough, music & dance
  • Begins inventing simple stories during play
How We'll Support
  • Pretend play baskets & open-ended toys
  • Music + movement daily, storytelling games & art invitations
🌿Relationship with Nature & Care
Goals
  • Helps care for plants, toys, spaces & water use
  • Builds understanding: "Living things need care."
  • Participates in watering plants, saving water & gentle treatment of animals
✅ End-of-Quarter Signs of Progress (around 2y6m)
Longer conversations
More imaginative play
Better transitions
More "I do it myself"
Better emotional regulation
Less impulsive throwing
Longer focus (8–12 min)
Stronger curiosity & questions
More cooperative routines
The real goal of Q2 is not academic —
it's "I can express myself, participate in routines, solve small problems, and explore confidently."
Quarter Theme (PYP-style) · Age 2y6m → 2y9m
🌦️ "How the World Works"
"The world changes, moves, grows, and works in different ways." — Curiosity explodes here. Fascination with water, shadows, vehicles, animals, weather, machines, growth, and cause & effect.
🗣️Language & Communication
Goals
  • Speaks in 4–6 word sentences, short conversations & simple storytelling
  • Begins asking more "why" questions, explaining observations & describing experiences
  • Retells familiar stories; follows 2–3 step instructions
How We'll Support
  • Daily storytelling & "What happened next?" questions
  • Rich pretend play dialogue & song repetition
  • Open-ended questions: "Why do you think that happened?"
💛Social & Emotional
Goals
  • Expresses emotions more verbally; recovers faster after frustration
  • Begins negotiating, asking for help, waiting briefly & understanding fairness
  • Shows growing empathy: comforting others, noticing feelings, role-playing emotions
  • Practises problem-solving during conflict, gentle touch & calming strategies
How We'll Support
  • Calm-down corner, feeling conversations & breathing games
  • Social stories, consistent emotional scripts & repair after mistakes
🙌Independence
Goals
  • Active participation in dressing, brushing teeth, toileting routines, snack prep & cleanup
  • Completes simple helper jobs independently
  • Follows familiar routines with minimal prompting
  • Builds confidence: "I can do hard things."
How We'll Support
  • Real-life tasks daily, child-sized tools, predictable routines
  • Independent access to materials & slow demonstrations
🏃Physical Development
Gross Motor
  • Jumps confidently, runs with improved coordination, balances longer
  • Kicks/throws with direction, climbs with planning, begins simple hopping
Fine Motor
  • Draws circles, lines & simple shapes
  • Uses scissors (with support), tongs, glue & crayons with more control
  • Improves pouring, threading, peg work & hand strength
How We'll Support
  • Outdoor obstacle courses, climbing, water transfer work
  • Playdough tools, sticker/cutting activities, art invitations
🧮Thinking & Early Math
Goals
  • Counting concepts to ~10; one-to-one matching exposure; simple patterns & sequencing
  • Sorts by multiple attributes, categories & functions
  • Completes more complex puzzles, matching games & memory games
  • Begins predicting outcomes, comparing quantities & solving simple logical problems
How We'll Support
  • Counting during routines, puzzle shelves, matching & pattern play
  • "What comes next?" activities & snack math
🔬Science & Curiosity
Goals
  • Explores weather, shadows, magnets, water movement, plants, animals & transportation
  • Asks more "why", "how" & "what happens if…"
  • Observes change, movement, growth, temperature & speed
  • Participates in simple experiments, sensory exploration & nature observation
How We'll Support
  • Water experiments, shadow play, weather observation, gardening
  • Nature walks & cause-and-effect toys
🎨Creative Expression & Imagination
Goals
  • Creates longer pretend play sequences: doctor, kitchen, construction, shops, animals, rescue stories
  • Uses art, movement, music & pretend stories to express ideas
  • Begins inventing original pretend scenarios
How We'll Support
  • Open-ended toys, pretend play baskets, loose parts play
  • Music & dance daily, storytelling prompts & puppet play
🌿Nature & Responsibility
Goals
  • Shows growing responsibility for plants, belongings, shared spaces, water & animals
  • Understands: "My actions affect others and the environment."
  • Participates in watering plants, cleanup, saving water & gentle animal care
✅ End-of-Quarter Signs of Progress (around 2y9m)
Much longer conversations
Bigger imagination & complex pretend play
More "why?" questions
Better emotional recovery
Longer independent play (10–15+ min)
More cooperation in routines
Better body coordination
More curiosity about how things work
The real goal of Q3 is not academic —
it's "I can communicate, imagine, reason, and participate more independently in the world around me."
Quarter Theme (PYP-style) · Age 2y9m → 3y
🌍 "Sharing the Planet"
"We live together with people, animals, plants, and nature, and our actions affect the world around us." — Children begin understanding empathy, responsibility, fairness, care, and relationships. The person emerges very strongly this quarter.
🗣️Language & Communication
Goals
  • Speaks in 5–7 word sentences, back-and-forth conversations & simple storytelling
  • Asks more detailed questions, describes events, explains ideas & narrates pretend play
  • Retells familiar stories & songs with support
  • Follows 2–3 step instructions more consistently
How We'll Support
  • Daily storytelling, "What do you think?" questions & story retelling
  • Open-ended conversations, pretend play dialogue & songs/rhymes
💛Social & Emotional
Goals
  • Expresses feelings mostly with words rather than throwing/hitting
  • Recognises others' feelings, fairness, sharing & cooperation
  • Recovers more quickly after frustration
  • Practises waiting, turn-taking, negotiation & problem-solving
  • Builds self-confidence: "I can try hard things."
How We'll Support
  • Calm-down tools, feeling conversations & role-play
  • Social stories, consistent boundaries & repair after mistakes
🙌Independence
Goals
  • Active participation in dressing, toileting routines, brushing teeth, handwashing, tidying & snack prep
  • Completes tasks independently: pouring water, carrying dishes, watering plants, wiping spills
  • Follows daily routines with less adult help
  • Develops responsibility: "I help care for myself and my environment."
How We'll Support
  • Child-sized tools, accessible environment, real-life responsibilities
  • Consistent routines & independent practice time
🏃Physical Development
Gross Motor
  • Runs confidently, jumps with control, balances longer
  • Climbs safely, kicks/throws more accurately, begins hopping
  • Develops body awareness
Fine Motor
  • Draws circles, lines & simple faces/shapes
  • Uses crayons, glue, stickers, tongs & beginner scissors (with support)
  • Improves hand strength, pouring, threading & manipulation
How We'll Support
  • Outdoor movement, obstacle courses & climbing daily
  • Playdough, art invitations & water transfer work
🧮Thinking & Early Math
Goals
  • Counts rhythmically to ~10; begins understanding quantity, matching & sequencing
  • Sorts by colour, size, category & function
  • Completes simple puzzles, matching & memory activities
  • Begins reasoning, prediction & problem-solving
How We'll Support
  • Counting during routines, puzzle shelves & pattern play
  • Matching games, snack math & "What comes next?" activities
🔬Science & Curiosity
Goals
  • Observes weather, seasons, shadows, animals, plants, movement & water
  • Asks why, how & "what if" questions
  • Participates in simple experiments, gardening, sensory exploration & nature walks
  • Understands basic cause & effect: "If we don't water plants, they droop."
How We'll Support
  • Nature walks, water experiments, gardening & kitchen science
  • "What changed?" / "What do you notice?" language daily
🎨Creative Expression & Imagination
Goals
  • Engages in longer pretend play, role play, storytelling & imaginative scenarios
  • Uses art, dance, music & pretend play to express ideas and feelings
  • Invents original pretend stories and characters
How We'll Support
  • Pretend play baskets, open-ended toys & puppet play
  • Music & dance daily, storytelling prompts & loose-parts play
🌿Nature, Care & Community
Goals
  • Develops care & responsibility toward water, animals, plants, shared spaces & people
  • Participates in watering plants, feeding pets, cleanup, saving water & helping others
  • Begins understanding: "We all share the world together."
PYP-style Inquiry Threads During Q4
🌍
Sharing the Planet
Animals need care · plants need water · we save water · we share spaces
🎭
How We Express Ourselves
Stories · art · music · pretend play
👤
Who We Are
Feelings · family · independence
✅ End-of-Year Success Signs (around Age 3)
Real back-and-forth conversations
Longer pretend play stories
Better emotional regulation
Stronger independence
Longer focus (15+ min)
More empathy & cooperation
More curiosity & questions
Better body coordination
Stronger sense of self
The real goal of Q4 — and the whole year — is not academic.
It's "I can communicate, care, imagine, cooperate, and participate confidently in the world around me."
IB Learner Profile

10 Traits We Nurture 🌟

The IB Learner Profile describes the qualities of a well-rounded, thoughtful person. At this age we plant the seeds — through daily play, stories, and gentle guidance.

💛
Caring
Shows empathy, kindness, and respect for others and the world around them.
🔍
Curious
Asks "why?" and "what if?", explores with wonder, loves to discover.
🦁
Brave
Takes on new challenges, tries things even when uncertain — a risk-taker!
💭
Thinker
Uses reasoning and creativity to approach problems in thoughtful ways.
🗣️
Communicator
Expresses ideas and feelings confidently through words, art, and movement.
🪞
Reflective
Thinks about how and what they are learning — "what did I notice today?"
⚖️
Balanced
Develops physically, emotionally, and intellectually — not just one thing.
🤝
Principled
Acts honestly, fairly, and with a sense of right and wrong — even when hard.
🌍
Open-Minded
Values other perspectives, cultures, and ways of seeing the world.
📚
Knowledgeable
Builds understanding through meaningful exploration of the world, not rote facts.
Early Years Foundations

Best Foundations at This Age 🌱

Before formal academics, these six experiences build the strongest long-term learners. Both IB Early Years and Montessori agree on every one.

🧩

Lots of Free Play

Unstructured play is where children develop problem-solving, imagination, social skills, and self-regulation — all the foundations of later learning.

💬

Language-Rich Days

Talk, stories, songs, and conversations all day long. Vocabulary in early years is one of the strongest predictors of later reading and thinking ability.

🤲

Sensorial Play

Water, sand, clay, dough, textures, smells, sounds. Sensory experiences wire the brain for focus, creativity, and emotional regulation.

🍶

Practical Life Skills

Pouring, cleaning, dressing, setting the table. Montessori's core insight: real-life tasks build concentration, independence, and fine motor skills.

🌿

Time in Nature

Outdoor time builds curiosity, physical development, risk assessment, and a deep sense of wonder — one of the strongest wellbeing and learning tools.

🕐

Simple Routines & Gentle Independence

Predictable rhythms give children safety to explore. Small choices and responsibilities build agency, confidence, and executive function.

IB PYP Early Years

How Learning Happens 🎯

IB Early Years is not about worksheets — it's about meaning-making through rich experiences. Here's what it looks like in practice.

1

Play + Inquiry

Children learn by exploring, building, pretending, and asking questions. Adults set up inviting environments, ask good questions, and add vocabulary as children discover.

2

The Whole Child

Social & emotional skills, language, physical development, thinking, and independence — all equally important. Reading and maths grow naturally through meaningful play.

3

Observation Assessment

No tests here! Adults watch play, listen to language, take photos and notes, and keep simple portfolios. Learning is visible in what children say, build, and create.

4

Units of Inquiry

Short, flexible explorations of meaningful topics: "My senses", "Plants grow and change", "Water in our lives", "People who help us". Goal is meaning-making, not memorising facts.

PYP Framework

The 5 Essential Elements ✨

The backbone of PYP learning — present in every interaction, activity, and exploration, even at toddler age.

🌍
Knowledge
What we explore — family, plants, water, animals, our community.
💡
Concepts
Big ideas: change, form, function, connection, perspective, causation.
🛠️
Skills
Communication, thinking, research, social, and self-management skills.
💛
Attitudes
Curiosity, respect, commitment, creativity, confidence, and enthusiasm.
🚀
Action
Doing something with what we learned — helping, caring, creating, changing.
Transdisciplinary Themes

6 PYP Themes That Guide Exploration 🗺️

These global themes shape the kinds of topics that arise in early childhood. They are concrete, child-centred, and deeply connected to everyday life.

👤
Theme 1
Who We Are
Identity, feelings, relationships, the body, beliefs, and what makes us who we are.
FeelingsBodyFamily
🏡
Theme 2
Where We Are in Place & Time
Home, family, neighbourhood, past and present, journeys, and discovery.
HomeSeasonsJourneys
🎨
Theme 3
How We Express Ourselves
Art, music, stories, dance, pretend play, and creativity as ways of sharing inner worlds.
ArtMusicStoriesPlay
🔬
Theme 4
How the World Works
Nature, science, materials, simple machines, cause and effect, and natural phenomena.
ScienceNatureWater
🏘️
Theme 5
How We Organise Ourselves
Rules, roles, community helpers, systems, and how people work together.
CommunityRulesRoles
🌏
Theme 6
Sharing the Planet
Care for animals, the environment, fairness, rights, and living alongside others.
AnimalsEnvironmentFairness
Montessori Inspired

Montessori Principles at Work 🌿

Montessori and IB are deeply compatible. Together they form a powerful framework for early childhood — freedom within structure, beauty in simplicity, respect for the child's pace.

🧸
Follow the Child
Observe what the child is drawn to and build from their natural interests, pace, and readiness — never force a lesson before the child is ready.
🏠
Prepared Environment
Every object and space is intentionally arranged to invite independence, concentration, and discovery. Beauty and order matter deeply.
🤲
Hands-On Materials
The hands are the tools of the mind. Concrete, tactile materials teach abstract concepts — counting beads before written numbers, for example.
🌱
Intrinsic Motivation
Avoid stickers and prizes for learning. The joy of mastering a task is the reward. This builds lasting, self-directed curiosity.
🕊️
Peaceful Correction
Errors are part of learning, not causes for shame. Materials are self-correcting where possible; language is calm, kind, and informative.
Sensitive Periods
Children have windows of intense interest — for language, order, movement, tiny objects. Notice and feed these windows when they open.
Numzi in Action

How Numzi Supports These Outcomes 🎲

Every Numzi activity is designed to touch multiple areas of the framework simultaneously — because real learning is never just one thing.