A research-based early childhood curriculum is in line with current studies and best practices on how children develop and learn. It is content-rich and focuses on domain-specific, developmentally appropriate content and skills.
Research-based curricula for the home-based program option is founded on solid research around parenting concepts, skills, and practices that promote healthy child development. Use this checklist to evaluate your home-based curriculum.
When your program is selecting a home-based curriculum, use this checklist to guide the decision-making process.
To implement a curriculum effectively, staff must understand how to use it responsively, intentionally, and with fidelity. Use this resource to implement curriculum in ways that meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
An organized developmental scope and sequence outlines what the early childhood curriculum focuses on. It also shows how the plans and materials support children at different stages of development.
Standardized training procedures offer initial and ongoing support to education staff as they learn to implement a curriculum with fidelity. Materials include resources that come with a curriculum to help education staff learn how to use it.
Aligning a curriculum with the ELOF allows staff to see which and to what extent the ELOF domains and sub-domains are addressed in the curriculum.
Identify ways to put the Head Start Program Performance Standards on home-based curricula into practice.
Find out how teachers can promote children’s learning outcomes during routine indoor and outdoor activities.
Find out how program leaders work with others to identify the most appropriate ways to meet the standards around curriculum fidelity.