Tiny Footsteps Preschool

“Our goal is to build your child’s positive self-concept, sense of accomplishment and confidence, and to instill in your child a love of learning.” Heather Traeden, Tiny Footsteps founder

If you could predict any kind of future for your child, our guess it would be one filled with possibility and potential. We at Tiny Footsteps Preschool echo Abraham Lincoln when he said, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

We are dedicated to your child’s future, starting here and now. “Our goal is to build your child’s positive self-concept, sense of accomplishment and confidence, and to instill in your child a love of learning.” We do this by offering a wholistic learning environment with an emphasis on school-ready curriculum. In short, we help you prepare create the foundation of a great future for your child.

The following interview with Traeden will give you a glimpse of who we are, who we got here, and the “why” behind what we do here. Our program and curriculum are the frame and brain, but the people are the heart and soul.

Hi Heather. Tell us something interesting about yourself?

I have been certified as a Behavior Analyst for many years and work with Neurobehavioral Center for Growth providing administrative oversight, ABA therapy to children with ASD, and providing training to those who work with children.

That is fascinating! What is your educational background?

I have several degrees. MEd in Education, MS in Human Development and Social Policy, BA in Human Development and Family Studies as well as a certification and licensure in Applied Behavior Analysis. I have also completed a graduate program in Child Life in 2000. I have been trained in several therapies for children (play, art, imagery, stress reduction, etc.)

You have a lot of education and clinical experience working with children of all types. How did these play a role in opening a preschool?

I originally opened a preschool like most moms here in Utah do, [because] I needed one for my children and knew that I could provide an excellent foundation for the child’s educational future. It was also something that I could do while raising a family and finishing my own education. In 2003, I partnered with several families in formulating a charter school here in the area, Legacy Preparatory Academy. The charter school opened in the fall of 2006. Tiny Footsteps creates preschool friendly, but similar environment so that the transition, especially those who go to LPA, have a smoother transition.

What is your vision/mission statement?

At Tiny Footsteps we learn hard and play harder. Tiny Little Footsteps aims to prepare your child for kindergarten in all aspects, but is very curriculum-focused. 

You mention your school is very curriculum focused. Can you tell us more about this?

[Tiny Footsteps is a] challenging program [which] meets academic, physical, social and emotional needs. [Our] curriculum is based on kindergarten readiness materials from a classical education foundation.

What else would you like to say about Tiny Footsteps?

As a Tiny Footprint student, your child will not only learn to read and be prepared for grade-level math concepts, but will grow in social skills (sharing, taking turns, cooperation, empathy), fine motor skills essential for kindergarten (like cutting, gluing and handwriting), and other necessary skills (listening, following directions, participation, motivation, creativity) to ensure his/her success in kindergarten. Our goal is to build your child’s positive self-concept, sense of accomplishment, and confidence, and to instill in your child a love of learning.

Thanks, Heather, for that peek into the start and heart of Tiny Footsteps Preschool!

In the spring of 2019, Heather passed the reigns of Tiny Footprints to Megan Bowden. Megan shares the vision for and love of our school. We, and your children, are all in good hands.

Next week we will get to know Megan better as well as learn about her goals for the future of Tiny Footsteps Preschool—a future that we hope involves you and your children too.