Early Childhood Curriculum

at 16 months play is her work. play is her learning. One of the hardest things for both parents and sometimes teachers to learn is that its the process not the product It's not about whether your child's snowman has its eyes on the small top snowball but whether or not she has learned to paste them on at all. The curriculum at her age should have small and large movement. It should have some music time and some inside and outside play. It should absolutely not at this time have "book" learning. You can get books at the chalkboard teaching store that will give you things like finger plays and little songs etc. movements to go with songs. But she is really too young for big learning stuff. It is more about teachable moments. look at the bug while out walking, jump over the crack in the sidewalk etc. good luck it sounds like your a very involved mama.

Play is how toddlers learn. As long as she will have lots of interaction with the care providers, lots of outside time and lots of appropriate manipulatives/toys, I would be fine with it.

I look at free sites for a lot of my suggestions ( and mommy blogs are helpful too) I like teachpreschool.org ( and they are on FB)
One I am in the process of looking into which seems pricey for the number of students I have but would be reasonable for just one child is funshineexpress.com
I love the dltk-kids.com as well.

I always bought the Mailbox curriculum from the local business/office supply store. I was able to coordinate many themes and all the colors and numbers together for the whole year and pretty much stick to it.

Here are the ones I had in my child care center:
January
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60969/...
February
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60970/...
March
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60971/...
April
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60972/...
May
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60973/...
Summer
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60974/...
September
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60965/...
October
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60966/...
November
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60967/...
December
http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/afc/books/TEC60968/...
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They update them every few years and mine were a bit different. I loved being able to open these books and turn the pages and ideas burst out of my mind.

For example in February I picked for the 4 weeks, Human hearts, Valentines, Dental Week, and The Post Office. Each had specific activities and many many things to do. I also had the main theme of the month, colors, red, pink, and white. The numbers are just a random selection.

I would look into high reach. I used that when I taught toddlers. I'm no sure price wise for one child because k always ordered for 12 but it was still affordable.

She's 16 months old, let her be a baby. Kids have plenty of time to be in school. I have a BA in Early Childhood Education, I'm certified K-8 with an endorsement in Early Childhood Ed--birth to 8 yrs old, and English as a Second Language and I have taught preschool-4th grades. So, I absolutely agree that a theme based curriculum for preschool is appropriate, but you have to understand and agree that 16 months old is very young to to preschool. It is more daycare=more play until they are 2. Then they can start learning about short times of circle time, etc. 3 is when you can get them to really start learning about school structure and 4 is Pre-K. Once she is 3 and definitely 4 it is understandable to be concerned about a more structured preschool curriculum, which of course still involves lots of play!

Honestly, if you are playing, talking, singing, reading to your baby and she has books and a variety of toys to help with motor skills and development, she will be just fine! As long as she gets those things at daycare as well, and isn't just by herself all day being ignored, she will be just fine!!! I know it's hard as a parent not to worry about things--I have 2 of my own now and it's hard even when I "thought" I knew what I would think as a parent and not a teacher.

I hope this is helpful. I am not trying to sound mean or belittle your concerns, I hope it didn't come off that way. Just want you to relax a little. I am sure you a providing her with a rich environment that will prepare her for school when it's time. :o)