Little Dixie Early Head Start uses the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Two’s as a framework for providing experiences that supports each child’s individual development.  However it is our belief that it is important to pull from a variety of resources based on sound developmentally appropriate child development.

The goals of Little Dixie Early Head Start are to ensure each child enrolled will grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically in a developmentally appropriate manner to achieve the overall goal of social competence. Competencies include developing strong nurturing relationships with their teacher, ability to develop relationships with peers, forming a sense of trust and security and the ability to express thoughts and feelings.  The children will also gain the ability to identify and solve problems, increase self-confidence and develop critical thinking skills.  Additional goals for the children include the ability to respect the rights and feelings of others, and the ability to use creativity and their imagination.  The children will work toward the goal of working independently as well as working cooperatively with others.  LDCAA Early Head Start will work to help the children form a foundation for school readiness; children will work toward the goals of developing literacy, numeracy  reasoning, problem solving and decision making skills.

The parent’s role is to actively participate in the ongoing educational program by volunteering in the center, attending parent meetings, providing input into the curriculum and serving on the policy council committee.  The teacher’s role is to develop individual activities and experiences to foster each child’s growth and development.  The teaching staff will gather data by making observations, writing those observations in the form of anecdotes, screening and assessments, and portfolio material.  This information will be used to determine child goals and will be shared with the parents.  The on-going assessment will allow staff and parents to monitor and make modifications to the curricula as needed for each child’s development.  Parents and teaching staff work together on planned, organized, intentional curriculum that  support child development and education for infants, and toddlers.

Experiences are planned and intentionally presented to children.  Teaching staff create environments to foster growth and development toward a specific goal and to support the hands on learning experiences that children need to gain understanding.  Individualized activities are provided daily and based on each child’s needs, developmental strengths, interest, cultural background, temperament and learning style.  Classrooms are set up with the in home setting in mind as much as possible.  There are areas for quiet time, dramatic play, sensory, science, language, manipulative, and blocks.  There is also an area for the children to participate in art activities, music and movement.

Teachers will help parents recognize materials in the home that can be used for exploration and literacy activities.  Staff considers each child’s developmental level and skills when selecting appropriate and challenging materials to foster growth and positive outcomes.  Materials are rotated often to meet the individual goals of the children as well as to provide interest and discovery.  Children’s favorite materials are available in multiple numbers.   

This curriculum meets Head Start Performance Standards of 1998 as teachers use additional resources to meet the needs of individualized children and enhance the Creative Curriculum For Infants Toddlers and Two’s curricula through teacher’s freedom to modify the curriculum.