Theory and Research
The theory and research chapter of The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos summarizes some of the major theories about children's development and learning. It then explains how The Creative Curriculum® helps your program put theory and research into practice. Understanding early childhood theory and research is essential to knowing what children think and feel, and how you can help them become caring people and joyful learners.
Meeting Children's Basic Needs
All children have basic needs. Abraham Maslow, a prominent 20th century psychologist, suggested that people's basic needs must be met before higher-level learning can take place. Stanley Greenspan and T. Berry Brazelton, two of today's most respected child development experts, focus on the particular needs of children. They have taken a broader, more comprehensive approach to addressing children's needs.
Click here to see a chart of major ideas and how The Creative Curriculum® translates them into practice.
Fostering Social-Emotional Development
The research consistently shows that positive social-emotional development of infants, toddlers, and twos is nurtured when they develop trusting relationships with important adults in their lives. As trust develops, they begin to see themselves as separate, capable human beings who can understand and control their emotions.
Click here to see a chart of major ideas and how The Creative Curriculum® translates them into practice.
Developing Relationships
Research on attachment and resilience provides guidance about other aspects of the social-emotional development of infants, toddlers, and twos. It confirms the importance of developing trusting relationships with the important adults in their lives.
Click here to see a chart of major ideas and how The Creative Curriculum® translates them into practice.
Supporting Cognition and Brain Development
Infants, toddlers, and twos develop cognitively when they have many opportunities to explore the world around them, interact with others, and play. Along with recent brain research, the work of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky provides a deeper understanding of why these experiences are so important for young children. Research findings also help us determine what teachers and families can do to support cognitive development.
Click here to see a chart of major ideas and how The Creative Curriculum® translates them into practice.
Click here for a complete list of theory and research citations for The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos.
Are you conducting your own research using The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos? We would love to hear about it. Please email .