I operate a home based preschool in Flower Mound and am looking for a wonderful curriculum for children ages 3 and 4. I have seen many websites that are selling the "Creative Curriculum for preschoolers" and the assessment toolkit.
Has anyone used these?
If so, can you give me some insight into exactly what is included it these kits and if they are timely. It seems that this program was first written back in 1988?
I would love to know if it is worth the investment for this expensive curriculum.
If not this program what curriculum would you recommend for preschoolers?
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I've been using my own child centered curriculum for the past 20 years. I elaborate on this each year depending on the abilities of the children I'm caring for. I thought I would investigate other big name curriculum programs in hopes to appeal to those families (clients) who I am losing to other larger and more structured programs. This past year I have lost 3 children as they approached 3 years. Even with my college education, some of which is specific to writing curriculum and lesson plans through individual observations, some parents want that big name curriculum. My intentions were to combine my own DAP program with that of another in order to keep clients happy through to kindergarten.
If you have a favorite curriculum you use for preschool age please keep those ideas coming as I am having loads of fun exploring them all!
I use The Learning Box Preschool curriculum and love it! It's only about $10 a month per child and it includes everything they need for their crafts, etc. It comes with a TON of stuff! The customer service is fantastic and I'm shocked at how much it includes for the cost.
Hi D.,
I'm not familiar with the Creative Curriculum package. I'm emergent curriculum-based myself (with a focus on seasonal learning and nature and teaching through these realms) and have created my own curriculum for all since I started working with kids as a toddler and preschool teacher.
Online, now, I did find "Read Play Learn", which is an NAEYC-approved curriculum. I was impressed at how it stays within NAEYC developmentally appropriate guidelines and focuses on meeting each child at their level of ability. (This was one reason I tailored my curriculums from year to year, depending on the group.) Here's the link to this site:
http://www.readplaylearn.com/standards/naeyc.htm
Check it out and have fun with your kiddos!
I don't know if you can buy it, but our school district used something called : "Tools of the Mind". It seemed to be pretty good, kids start writing their "play plans" and it prepares them for kindergarten. The curriculum can be tailored for kids ages 3-5.
I don't know anything about Creative Curriculum, but I teach Pre-K in Richardson ISD, and we just adopted Frog Street Press this year. It really is awesome. I know a church-based preschool in the area that uses it too.
Good Luck. :)
Let me know if you have any questions. :)
S. R.
Couldn't you create your own based off your states Kindergarten standards?, just take it down a notch. If K required they count to 100 you focus on counting to 20.
maybe see if there is a teaching store near you with some other ideas.
