Head Start Curriculum

Parents are the most important people in their child's world; they are also their child's first and primary teachers.  Supporting children's learning is viewed as a joint effort between teachers and parents.

Our core curriculum for center-based children is “Opening the World of Learning” (OWL).  It works best when Head Start parents and teachers work together.

OWL is a comprehensive early literacy program designed for use with preschoolers.  Recent research has made it abundantly clear that, for many children, these years hold the key to children's later academic success and social adjustment.

OWL works to tap the learning capabilities of all children during these critical early years.  OWL's goal is to ensure that teachers help all children achieve standards in language, literacy, numeracy, science, social science, creative arts, motor skills, social competence, and emotional regulation.

To support this curriculum, we also use:

• The Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood
• SPARK Curriculum for Early Childhood
• Family Math Curriculum
• Learning Readiness Preschool Art Curriculum

Home-Base Program

“Born to Learn Curriculum” is a parent education and home visiting program that begins when a woman becomes pregnant and continues until the child enters kindergarten. This curriculum acknowledges the parents as the child’s first and most influential teachers. The goal is to help all families lay a strong foundation for their child’s development.

“Creative Curriculum for Infants & Toddlers” is used on center socialization days.

The following curricula are used by our home visiting teachers in our home-based ages 3-5 program.

• SPARK Curriculum for Early Childhood
• STEP Language & Literacy
• Family Math Curriculum
• Learning Readiness Preschool Art
• Nutritional Learning Experience (NLE)

The “Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood” is used for center socialization days.

Outcomes

The “Work Sampling System” is used to help teachers keep track of children’s skills, behaviors, and achievements while in Head Start, and to report children’s progress to their parents. Work Sampling consists of development guidelines and checklists, portfolios, and summary reports.