Tot School is a play-based early learning approach for toddlers (typically ages 2-4) that focuses on hands-on activities, sensory exploration, and fostering a love of learning through intentional play rather than formal academics.
What is Tot School?
Tot School is an intentional approach to early childhood education that focuses on fostering a love for learning through play-based activities and hands-on experiences. Unlike formal preschool with structured lessons, Tot School uses guided play to expose toddlers to concepts, everyday tasks, and developmental skills. The term was coined by Carisa Hinson of the blog 1+1+1=1—interestingly, the name originated when her 6-year-old son declared that his toddler sibling was already "in school" and it had a name: Tot School.
Key Takeaways
- Targets toddlers ages 2-4 (some resources extend to ages 1-5)
- Emphasizes play-based learning over formal academics
- Focuses on exposure to concepts rather than mastery of skills
- Uses "tot trays"—Montessori-inspired self-contained activities
- Helps keep toddlers engaged while older siblings complete schoolwork
Core Philosophy
Tot School operates on a simple principle: the job of young children is to play, and playing is how they learn. Rather than drilling skills via flashcards or worksheets, Tot School provides repeated exposure to concepts through hands-on activities. There's no pressure to meet milestones by certain ages—children learn as they're ready. Research suggests starting academics at age 3-4 provides no long-term advantage over peers who start later, so Tot School focuses on building curiosity rather than checking academic boxes.
Typical Activities
Tot Trays are a signature element—Montessori-inspired trays containing self-contained activities like sorting, stacking, or sensory exploration. A typical week might include themed books, fine motor activities (cutting, gluing, sticker peeling), gross motor play (dancing, jumping), sensory bins, and educational snacks. Skills targeted include color identification, body parts, emotions, pre-literacy exposure, sorting, and language development. The emphasis is always on exploration rather than instruction.
Tot School for Homeschool Families
Many homeschool families use Tot School to keep toddlers meaningfully engaged while teaching older siblings. Prepared tot trays give little ones something productive to do during focused instruction time. Tot School also serves as a gentle bridge to more structured preschool activities around ages 4-5. There are no legal requirements around preschool education—most states only mandate homeschool reporting at age 6—so Tot School is entirely optional and can be as structured or relaxed as your family prefers.
The Bottom Line
Tot School offers a pressure-free approach to early learning that aligns with how toddlers naturally develop. Rather than rushing academics, it builds the curiosity and fine motor skills that support later learning. For homeschool families juggling multiple ages, prepared tot trays provide meaningful toddler engagement during teaching time with older children. The approach requires minimal investment—most activities use household materials—and can be as simple or elaborate as your time and energy allow.
