Child development theory and research are the foundation of The Creative Curriculum^® for Preschool. They inform decision making, influence our view of children, and are the basis for all the recommendations we've included.

• Abraham Maslow--Basic needs and learning
• Erik Erikson--The emotions and learning
• Jean Piaget--Logical thinking and reasoning
• Lev Vygotsky--Social interaction and learning
• Howard Gardner--Multiple intelligences
• Sara Smilansky--Play and learning
• Research on learning and resiliency
• Research on learning and the brain

Not only is every aspect of The Creative Curriculum^® based on sound developmental theory and evidence-based research, but numerous research studies have been conducted to validate its effectiveness.