Early Childhood Curriculum

Preschool Curriculum

The Preschool teachers use the Creative Curriculum as the framework for the preschool program. We provide a variety of active and quiet centers where a child can make choices, create, and interact with peers and their environment. The materials used provide concrete hands-on experiences, and are adaptable to the many different levels of development. The teachers also develop thematic units that complement the children's interests, cultures and community. These units are aligned with Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS). The Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards can be accessed at:

English: https://www.isbe.net/documents/early_learning_standards.pdf

Spanish: http://illinoisearlylearning.org/ields/ields-sp.pdf

The Pre-Kindergarten students are evaluated regularly throughout the school year using work samples and classroom observations. All assessments are based on the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards and are shared with parents during Parent/Teacher Conferences.

You will also notice that we do not use worksheets, ditto/tracing sheets or coloring sheets in our classrooms. Children learn best through appropriate hands-on experiences and interactions with others. Playing and talking with friends enhances a child’s whole development. Opportunities to think and act creatively are essential if children are to develop their minds to the fullest potential. Children need to be involved with many meaningful problem-solving situations, rather than sitting passively while filling in worksheets.

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

--Mister Fred Rogers--