Curriculum Information
The Early Learning Coalition has adopted a list of developmentally appropriate curricula for use by all school readiness providers. A Curriculum Review Group was created to accomplish this task and consisted of representatives from faith-based and private providers, Success by 6, Polk Community College, Polk County Schools - PreK, Early Learning Coalition.
A list of "High Quality" curricula was expected. To evaluate the many curricula available, "Requirements" were developed using the mandates from the state, as well as ideas from Florida Statute 411.01 – School Readiness Act, Florida School Readiness Performance Standards, NAEYC Position Statement 2003, other Early Learning Coalitions' curricula lists, and the Group's own expertise and experience. The following Curriculum Requirements were used to evaluate the curricula on the Polk County's Approved Curricula List.
Curriculum Requirements
1. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate. It has realistic and attainable expectations.
2. The curriculum has a Character Development component.
3. The curriculum…
- Promotes interactive learning among staff and children.
- Helps children achieve social, emotional, linguistic, physical and cognitive goals.
- Permits flexibility for children and teachers.
- Encourages active learning through play and frequently allows children to make meaningful choices.
- Fosters children’s exploration and inquiry, rather than focusing on "right" answers or "right" ways to complete a task.
- Facilitates concept learning and skills development in an integrated and natural way. (Integrated thematic instruction)
- Shows evidence from research of being based on sound child development principles of how children grow and learn.
- Shows respect for cultural and linguistic diversity and allows and appreciates individual differences.
4. The curriculum meets all of the State of Florida School Readiness Performance Standards, including the following Domains:
- Physical Health
- Approaches to Learning
- Social and Emotional
- Language and Communication
- Cognitive Development and General Knowledge
- Motor Development
5. The program has age appropriate activities and materials that promote the following experiences:
- Construction (wood blocks, waffle blocks, bristle blocks, Lincoln Logs, etc.)
- Dramatic Play
- Manipulatives
- Creative Expression (Art)
- Language (Reading and Writing)
- Discovery/Sensory
- Fluid Play
- Music and Movement
- Outdoors/Gross Motor
- Computers (optional)
6. Assessment evidence (from multiple sources) is used to understand and improve learning by improving curriculum implementation and teaching practices.
7. Parent Involvement:
- Parents are recognized as the child’s first teacher.
- Parents are given letters about thematic units of study and each of the interest areas available in the program detailing the benefit to the child.
- Parents are welcomed visitors to the program or classroom and opportunities are available for parent participation.
- Conferences are scheduled to discuss the parent’s expectations for their children and answer any questions they may have about the curriculum.
- Parents are knowledgeable about goals and assessment.
Click Here for the Curriculum Approval Request