The High/Scope Preschool Curriculum Model

Curriculum Models

The term curriculum model refers to an educational system that combines theory with practice. A curriculum model has a theory and knowledge base that reflects a philosophical orientation and is supported, in varying degrees, by child development research and educational evaluation. The practical application of a curriculum model includes guidelines on how to set up the physical environment, structure the activities, interact with children and their families, and support staff members in their initial training and ongoing implementation of the program. Curriculum models should be central to any discussion of early childhood programs. Curriculum models are essential in determining program content and in training and supervising staff to implement high-quality programs. In order to provide a preschool program of the highest quality, it is necessary to adopt a research-based curriculum model. The following are curriculum models validated by research.

The High/Scope Curriculum Model

High/Scope preschool approach is used in both public and private half- and full-day preschools, nursery schools, Head Start programs, child care centers, home-based child care programs, and programs for children with special needs.

• Based on the fundamental premise that children are active learners who learn best from activities that they plan, carry out, and reflect on.
• Fifty-eight key experiences in child development for the preschool years are identified.
• These key experiences are grouped into ten categories: creative representation, language and literacy, initiative and social relations, movement, music, classification, seriation, number, space, and time.
• A central element of the day is the "plan-do-review sequence" in which children make a plan, carry it out, and then reflect on the results.
• The daily routine also includes times for small and large group experiences and time for outside play.