Operation Ready By 3 Curriculum
What is “Operation Ready by 3”?
“Operation Ready by 3” (ORB3) is a research-informed early learning curriculum built on a simple but powerful idea: the first three years of life are a child’s pre-K and kindergarten. Developed by Cindi Zarpass Stevens, the core philosophy is that foundational skills for lifelong success start getting wired into a child’s brain far earlier than most people assume. ORB3 emphasizes how babies and toddlers use all of their senses together to get ready for school, with specific focus areas like face time and eye contact, play-based learning, and looking/listening/doing activities. In this way, skills that will help kids thrive later, such as curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, are developed from the beginning.
At Little Brown Bear Center, LaShawn uses this approach to guide everyday moments — face-to-face interaction, play, looking, listening, and doing — into real developmental progress. Combined with her 25+ years as a pediatric occupational therapist, this means every child’s day is intentionally designed to build the sensory, social, and cognitive skills they’ll need to enter school confident and ready.
If you’d like to learn more about ORB3, here are 5 parent-friendly sources for you to explore:
CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” — cdc.gov/act-early Free developmental milestone checklists (2 months–5 years), a milestone tracker app, and guidance on what to do if a child isn’t meeting milestones. Extremely well-trusted and directly relevant since Little Brown Bear specializes in developmental concerns.
HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) — healthychildren.org Pediatrician-vetted parenting guidance covering everything from feeding to behavior to health, organized by age and stage.
ZERO TO THREE — zerotothree.org A leading nonprofit focused specifically on infant and toddler development — milestones, play, emotional development, and tips for parents and caregivers.
NAEYC for Families — naeyc.org/our-work/families From the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the field’s leading accreditation body — great for explaining what “quality” child care and developmentally appropriate practice look like.
Vroom — vroom.org Backed by early childhood experts and neuroscientists; turns everyday routines (bath time, meals, car rides) into quick, practical brain-building activities parents can use at home. A nice complement to daycare hours.
