This course will help participants better understand creative curriculum by discussing the research behind the foundation of Creative Curriculum.  As well as exploring in depth the five key points of The Creative Curriculum's framework;

     How Children Develop and Learn 

     The Learning Environment

     What Children Learn

     The Teacher's Role

     The Family's Role

4. Environment and Curriculum

 4.5 Selects and implements developmentally appropriate, evidence-based curriculum

a. Adopts or develops curriculum that has clearly defined relevant goals, based on sound understanding of child development
b. Uses curriculum as a flexible framework for planning how to meet children’s learning and developmental goals to promote social interaction, child-directed learning, play, and creative expression to plan engaging experiences to help children achieve curriculum goals
c. Implements curriculum in ways that are responsive to families’ home culture, values, and language
d. Offers opportunities for families to actively participate in curriculum planning and implementation
e. Plans trips into the community or to places that reflect the cultures of the community, classroom, or program
f. Gives children opportunities to work on integrated projects and investigations that span several days in length
g. Uses ongoing assessment to monitor children’s progression toward curriculum goals

b. Uses ongoing observation and assessment to meet a child’s interests/curiosity, learning styles, temperament, strengths and challenges, family priorities, current environment(s)
c. Ensures that child-directed and adult-facilitated play and learning are part of the curriculum
f. Uses appropriate small group experiences to encourage social interaction and problem-solving
h. Assists children in applying the skills they learn by including intervention into daily routines and activities
i. Helps children express ideas and apply prior knowledge by extending an activity in which they show interest
k. Provides opportunities for children to practice emerging skills by revisiting experiences and materials
l. Uses authentic assessment information to adapt the level of support, strategies, and materials necessary to meet a child’s individual needs
m. Selects and uses technology and media tools that have a clearly defined purpose and connection to the curriculum; promotes interaction, communication, and collaboration; and is developmentally appropriate