1
Notice
Observe children's play, interests, conversations, questions, and emerging skills.
The Curriculum Center
Build a Curriculum Around How Children Learn
Meaningful curriculum begins with children's curiosity. Explore planning tools, classroom studies, learning experiences, teaching strategies, and observation resources that help you turn everyday discoveries into purposeful learning.
Little Explorers offers supplementary planning ideas; it does not replace your program's adopted curriculum, applicable learning standards, or individualized supports. Read the planning guide.
Every Child Is a Learner.
Observe their interests, create meaningful experiences, and make room for discovery.
Explore · Plan · Teach · ReflectExplore the Pathways
Everything You Need to Plan With Purpose
Use these curriculum pathways to move from planning and preparation to engaging learning experiences, documentation, and reflection.
Planning & Reflection
Organize curriculum goals, plan learning experiences, reflect on teaching, and identify meaningful next steps.
Open planning guide →Studies & Investigations
Build extended learning around children's questions, observations, interests, and discoveries about the world.
Explore the studies →Weekly & Daily Plans
Connect learning objectives with group experiences, small groups, routines, and flexible classroom activities.
Explore lesson plans →Age & Development
Consider children's developmental abilities, individual interests, emerging skills, and appropriate learning opportunities.
Explore age groups →Learning Centers & Environments
Prepare engaging spaces, accessible materials, and inviting learning centers that encourage exploration and independence.
Explore environments →STEM & Discovery
Encourage early science, technology, engineering, mathematics, problem-solving, prediction, and experimentation.
Explore STEM resources →Language & Literacy
Support communication, vocabulary, storytelling, early writing, shared reading, and meaningful conversations throughout the day.
Explore literacy resources →Intentional Teaching & Activities
Choose experiences with a purpose while remaining responsive to children's ideas, questions, and individual learning needs.
Explore teaching approaches →Observation & Adaptation
Use observations and documentation to understand children's learning and adjust experiences to support progress.
Explore observation resources →Follow Their Curiosity
Turn Children's Questions Into Learning
A study begins with something children notice, wonder about, or want to understand. Use these investigations to connect discussion, books, hands-on experiences, creative expression, and discoveries across learning domains.
View All Studies →A Repeatable Process
The Curriculum Planning Cycle
Effective curriculum is not a one-time checklist. It is a continuous process of noticing, planning, engaging, documenting, and reflecting.
2
Plan
Identify goals, select materials, and prepare meaningful learning opportunities.
3
Engage
Interact with children, ask open-ended questions, and extend their thinking.
4
Document
Record observations, conversations, work samples, and evidence of learning.
5
Reflect
Consider what children learned and determine what to introduce or adapt next.
Remember: Follow children's interests
while intentionally connecting experiences to
developmental goals, individual needs, and your
program's curriculum framework.
More Teaching Tools
Build Your Curriculum Toolkit
Connect curriculum planning to practical classroom materials, family partnerships, and teaching resources.
Classroom Activities
Find hands-on experiences that can support children's interests, skills, and learning goals.
Explore activities →Head Start Resources
Access your Head Start resource area for curriculum and program-related materials.
Open Head Start resources →Resource Library
Browse the broader collection of teaching materials and classroom support resources.
Browse the library →Family Engagement
Connect classroom learning with family knowledge, home experiences, and partnerships.
Explore family partnerships →Assessment Resources
Find observation and assessment materials to help inform individual learning plans.
Open assessment center →Search the Learning Hub
Look across the site for a specific activity, topic, teaching tool, or resource.
Search the hub →Connected, Not Combined
Explore Other Areas of the Learning Hub
Curriculum is one part of a strong early childhood program. These separate sections provide additional support without overcrowding the Curriculum Center.
🎒 School Readiness
Explore resources focused on school transition, foundational skills, developmental progress, and preparing children for their next learning stage.
Explore School Readiness →💚 Behavior & Inclusion
Find support for positive guidance, inclusive environments, individualized strategies, and responsive classroom practices.
Open Behavior & Inclusion →🤝 Teacher & Family Support
Use the wider resource collection to support communication, collaboration, professional practice, and partnerships with families.
Explore Teacher & Family Support →