Theory and Research
The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool rests on a solid foundation of child development theory and research. These findings inform decision making, influence our view of children, and form the basis of all the recommendations that you'll find in the curriculum.
- 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
The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool is a comprehensive, scientifically based early childhood curriculum that has been shown through experimental and quasi-experimental studies to improve classroom quality and cognitive and social-emotional outcomes in young children. It is linked with The Creative Curriculum® Developmental Continuum for Ages 3-5, a valid and reliable assessment instrument that allows teachers to assess child progress and plan responsively.
The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool meets all of the standards put forth for effective early childhood curricula by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education (NAECS/SDE).
How The Creative Curriculum for Preschool meets NAEYC & NAECS/SDE standards
Not only is every aspect of The Creative Curriculum® based on sound developmental theory and evidence-based research, but a number of research studies have been conducted to validate its effectiveness.
Research Demonstrating The Creative Curriculum's Positive Effects on Classroom Quality and Children
While it is important that curriculum and assessment materials be based on the latest scientific research, it is equally important that these materials have a positive impact on child outcomes. Four rigorous independent studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, two of which were part of the Preschool Curriculum Evaluation Research (PCER) project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. Each found positive impacts ranging from improved classroom quality to stronger cognitive, academic, and social-emotional skills.
Are you conducting your own research using The Creative Curriculum®? We would love to hear about it. Please email .
Related Document
The Creative Curriculum® Developmental Continuum for Ages 3-5: Technical Report