CURRICULUM
THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND TWOS
We use The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos for children enrolled in Early Head Start (6 weeks-3 years old). The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos is a research-based curriculum and was created with young children and their caregivers in mind. It provides high-quality resources that encourage children’s natural curiosity, and hands-on learning along with responsive routines and caregiving.
THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND TWOS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
● The Foundation- 3 books that give teachers an overview of everything they need to know to develop a high-quality classroom
● Intentional Teaching Cards- used during routines, one-on-one interactions, and group learning times. Teachers and caregivers select and use Intentional Teaching Cards to guide playful and engaging experiences.
● Highlights Hello books- a series with stories, poetry, and simple activities for very young children to enjoy with adults
● Book conversation cards- a set of cards related to the classroom collection of Hello Highlights. The cards include guidance for interacting with young infants, mobile infants, toddlers, and twos during read-alouds, with detailed information to help teachers and caregivers share the vocabulary, illustrations, and activities found within each section of Hello Highlights books.
● Mighty Minutes-Songs, chants, rhymes, games, and short activities. These brief activities can be used any time, anywhere to support social-emotional, language, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, or physical development.
● Learning games in both English and Spanish
THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR PRESCHOOL
At Northwest Arkansas Head Start we use The Creative Curriculum for Preschool for our 3-5 year olds. The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is a research-based curriculum that focuses on exploration and discovery as a way of learning, helping children to develop confidence, curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills.
THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR PRESCHOOL INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
● The Foundation- 3 books that give teachers an overview of everything they need to know to develop a high-quality classroom.
● Teaching Guides- Provide daily support for the teacher.
● Intentional Teaching Cards- playful and engaging experiences that can be used throughout the day, with directions to help teachers individualize each experience to meet the needs of every learner.
● Mighty Minutes-songs, chants, rhymes, games, and short activities that can be used anytime to help teachers to create a learning opportunity out of every minute of the day.
● Book Collection- contains 79 high-quality children’s books, including 4 big books.
● Book Discussion cards- help teachers engage children in book discussions that encourage critical-thinking skills and support social–emotional development.
PARTNERS FOR A HEALTHY BABY
We use Partners for Healthy Baby curriculum for our Home-Based EHS and Pregnant Women programs. Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum is a research-based parenting curriculum developed by a multidisciplinary FSU faculty team with expertise in obstetric medicine, early childhood development, psychology, infant mental health, social work, and early intervention. Using the latest research and clinical guidelines from their respective disciplines, the faculty team compiled evidence-based strategies for home visitors to use when addressing issues facing expectant and new families.
THE PARTNERS FOR A HEALTHY BABY CURRICULUM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
● Before Baby Arrives
● Baby’s 1st Year
● Baby’s 2nd Year
● Toddler’s 3rd Year
● The research-based content in the Partners curriculum addresses a wide range of topics associated with the goals of most home visiting programs including: improved prenatal health; healthy birth outcomes; bonding and attachment; positive parenting; enhanced child health and development; infant mental health; economic self-sufficiency; and family stability.