Tiny Tot - Child Development Programs

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department offers many Child Development activities in recreation centers and playgrounds throughout the city. This program has a proud heritage dating back to the 1950's as evidenced by the many return visits by former participants with fond memories.

The Tiny Tot Program offers a variety of activities for children, ages 9 months to 5 years. The facilities are supervised by staff trained to work with children. Their function is to present stimulating, happy and satisfying experiences, to provide appropriate material, and give assistance when help is needed. The activities encourage the development of a positive self-image, promote improvement of language ability, and offer child participation in socialization experiences. The essence of the program is not formal instruction but rather the acceptance of children where they are both physically, emotionally, and cognitively nurtured and furnished with materials, setting and climate, which will best promote their growth and development. The curriculum includes creative arts and crafts, nature and science, active games, books and language experience, large muscle activity, and music.

Our Programs provide a setting where small children have an opportunity to participate in enjoyable activities, which promote their readiness for formal learning and community life. Parent participation in the program makes possible a carryover into the home of positive skills and attitudes which have been developed through association with other parents and youngsters under warm accepting leadership.

Tots in a latchkey program.