Preschool Curriculum - post

It can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing or implementing a preschool curriculum. Understanding the essential components helps educators choose and implement curriculum well. For hands-on, classroom-ready guidance, see our courses Curriculum Planning Buy Now $24.00 and DAP for Preschool Buy Now $24.00, which focus on aligning daily practice with early learning expectations.

Curriculum is a comprehensive guide detailing the learning goals for children. Curriculum includes instructional units, lesson plans, the resources and materials that will be used, teaching strategies, activities, and assessments.

Educators use a preschool curriculum to guide their planning in order to meet early learning standards for the children in their care.

A developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum allows for flexibility in achieving standards. Educators must use their knowledge of early learning standards and individual children's needs to tailor lesson plans to meet the needs of all children. Educators should be able to adjust the sequence of lessons and provide modifications and accommodations for those children who require them. In addition, consideration for learning styles and cultural differences will inform how the educator uses the curriculum. 

Preschool curriculum should be seen as a framework and a guide but should never take precedence over the individual needs of children. Educators should use information gained from observations to guide their lessons. 

A quality preschool curriculum allows for flexibility informed by child progress.

• ability to make ongoing adjustments to your daily plans
• drive your planning with an emergent curriculum. 
• allow for your children’s input, you may see higher levels of engagement and progress.

Interested in deeper training? 

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• Lesson Planning for Preschoolers Buy Now $24.00
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What are the core components of a high-quality preschool curriculum?

A high-quality preschool curriculum integrates several core components. These include clearly sequenced learning goals across developmental domains (social–emotional, language and literacy, mathematics, science, physical development, and creative arts), learning materials and routines that promote exploration, instructional strategies for differentiation and scaffolding, documentation and assessment systems, and family engagement strategies. The curriculum should state intended learning outcomes and give staff clear guidance on designing experiences that build toward those outcomes.

Developmentally sequenced curricula that include ready-made activity plans, assessment tools, and staff training resources are especially helpful in aligning classroom practice with program goals. For an example of an evidence-informed, developmentally sequenced preschool curriculum with activity plans and assessment supports, see the Early Learning Matters (ELM) curriculum resources provided by Purdue University (ELM Curriculum).

How do I choose a curriculum that fits my program and the children I serve?

Selecting a curriculum requires matching program philosophy, community values, staff capacity, and the developmental needs of children. Key selection criteria include alignment with state early learning standards, cultural and linguistic responsiveness, scope and sequence across domains, embedded assessment strategies, staff training requirements, and evidence of effectiveness. When social and emotional learning is a priority, consult curated reviews of SEL curricula to identify options with strong implementation supports and measurable outcomes (center for evidence-based SEL curricula).

Practical questions to ask vendors or curriculum reviewers: Does the curriculum provide daily/weekly lesson plans? Are assessment tools and family engagement materials included? What staff training and coaching are required to implement with fidelity? What adaptations are suggested for dual language learners or children with special needs? Use those answers to narrow choices and pilot a curriculum in one classroom before program-wide adoption.

How can teachers implement curriculum flexibly while meeting standards?

Curriculum should be a framework, not a script. Teachers implement curriculum flexibly by combining planned, teacher-led experiences with child-initiated learning and emergent topics that arise from observation. Effective implementation strategies include using a weekly plan with clear learning objectives, embedding learning goals into daily routines and play centers, and keeping learning materials accessible to invite sustained engagement. Documentation from observations and formative assessments should drive daily adjustments. For implementation strategies and sample lesson structures, see our practical guides such as How Do I Plan a Strong Preschool Curriculum? and Spark Their Love for Learning: Tips for Exciting Young Minds.

When using an established curriculum, combine its suggested activities with emergent curriculum practices: follow children’s interests to extend concepts, use scaffolding to push learning just beyond current mastery, and schedule routine reflection time for staff to plan next steps based on observed progress. Professional development and coaching are often the most important determinants of consistent, high-quality implementation.

How should assessment inform curriculum adaptation and individualization?

Assessment in preschool is primarily formative: observations, work samples, and brief, developmentally appropriate checklists give teachers the evidence needed to individualize instruction. Use multiple measures and compare them to the curriculum’s learning progressions to determine whether children are on track or need targeted support. Create a simple plan: 1) Observe and document; 2) Interpret evidence in team meetings; 3) Differentiate instruction or provide targeted interventions; 4) Communicate results and strategies with families. Regularly revisit curriculum pacing based on aggregated child data to adjust sequences or add review units.

For content-specific supports, consider pairing curriculum goals with targeted modules (for example, printable phonological awareness activities or math manipulatives) and using brief progress-monitoring tools to assess the effect of those adaptations.

How does this relate to everyday classroom practice and professional learning?

Translate curriculum into everyday practice by embedding learning goals into centers, transitions, and routines so that children experience repeated, meaningful practice across contexts. Invest in staff learning: structured workshops, peer coaching, and reflective planning time increase fidelity. To explore curriculum options and training for classroom staff, see these ChildCareEd articles that provide topic-specific ideas and program-development strategies: Preschool Curriculum for Educators to Choose, Building Quality Early Childhood Education Programs, STEM-sational Fun, Bye Bye Winter: The Role of Outdoor Play, and What Do Children's Questions Reveal About Their Development?.

How should educators summarize their approach to choosing and implementing preschool curriculum?

Focus on curricula that make learning progressions explicit and offer practical implementation supports such as staff training, assessment tools, and family materials. Use observation and formative assessment to adjust pacing and adapt instruction for individual children. Pilot a curriculum in one classroom before wider adoption and invest in ongoing professional learning. Together, evidence-informed curricula and responsive teaching improve outcomes for young children.