What's Inside
Here is an overview of what you will find in The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool along with sample excerpts from each of the chapters. Follow the links to view individual chapter excerpts. They will open in a new window (requires Acrobat Reader).
The Foundation
"Theory and Research Behind The Creative Curriculum" outlines the theory and research behind the curriculum, discusses our view of children, and offers specific recommendations for promoting their growth and development.
Excerpt from "Theory and Research Behind The Creative Curriculum"
Part 1: The Curriculum Framework
Part 1 of The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool presents the five components of the curriculum and gives you all the information you need to set up your program.
"How Children Develop and Learn" describes how children develop across the core domains, what makes each child unique, and the goals and objectives you can use to observe and assess their development.
"The Learning Environment" shows you how to set up and maintain interest areas in the classroom, establish schedules and routines, organize your days, and create a classroom community where children learn how to get along with others and solve problems peacefully.
"What Children Learn" identifies the knowledge, skills, and concepts that preschool children need to acquire along with the process skills they will use to learn content in the core areas of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, and technology.
"The Teacher's Role" explains how careful observations of children lead to a variety of intentional instructional strategies to motivate and guide children's learning and suggests an approach to assessment that facilitates planning.
"The Family's Role" explores the benefits of involving families in their children's learning and shares strategies for effective communication.
Part 2: Interest Areas
The second part of The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool applies the five components of the curriculum to the 11 interest areas. Each chapter describes materials that enhance young children's learning in each interest area and offers guidance for guiding and assessing children's development.
Excerpt from Chapter 6: "Blocks"
Excerpt from Chapter 7: "Dramatic Play"
Excerpt from Chapter 8: "Toys and Games"
Excerpt from Chapter 10: "Library"
Excerpt from Chapter 11: "Discovery"
Excerpt from Chapter 12: "Sand and Water"
Excerpt from Chapter 13: "Music and Movement"
Excerpt from Chapter 14: "Cooking"