Our Curriculum

Spartan Child Development Center uses the High Scope Curriculum, which is a comprehensive, research-based early childhood curriculum for children ages birth through six years that is play-based and follows the developing needs and interests of the children.

As teachers plan weekly and daily activities they consider each child’s developmental level and interests. Teachers provide a balance of active and quiet times throughout the day and lesson plans have a focus that is based on the interests and developing skills of the children.

The daily schedule in each classroom will include the following times of day, with variation depending on the developmental needs of the children:

  • Large Group Time: children are engaged in the same activity and are encouraged to contribute their thoughts and ideas.
  • Small Group Time:
    • Preschool &Transition Classrooms: Small groups will take place daily, with the same teacher supporting the same group of children for a length of time. Activities planned for small groups will allow for children to build on their own knowledge at their own skill level.
    • Toddler Classrooms: Small groups will take place as the children show interest in their environment. Teachers will support children by responding to each child’s interests, behavior, and developmental level.
  • Plan-Do-Review:  Children will be asked to make a plan before choice time. By making a plan, children are encouraged to play in a more purposeful way. The “do” part of the process is the actual choice time when children are able to freely explore the materials available to them in the classroom. After choice time the children will recall who they played with, some of the activities that they chose to participate in, and discuss any problems they encountered. This reflection will lead to more focused play in the future.

Other components of the High Scope Curriculum implemented in our classrooms include:

  • Classroom Environment Plan:  This is posted in the classroom and is a list of the materials that the teacher is providing in the classroom to support children’s learning in all concept areas which includes social/emotional development; physical development; communication, language and literacy; cognitive development; creative arts; math; science and technology; and social studies.
  • Adult-Child Interactions: High Scope believes that teachers are the facilitators of learning and their role is to participate in their play, converse with children, ask open ended questions and encourage problem solving. Adults observe children’s strengths, form authentic partnerships with children, and support children’s intentional play.
  • The Child Observation Record (COR):  This is an on-going assessment, based on observations of the children in their natural play environment. These anecdotal observations are used by the teachers when planning ways to support each child as their developmental skills progress.

For more information on the High Scope Curriculum visit highscope.org