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May 15, 2026
Creating a successful early childhood education curriculum is a crucial task for any early preschool educator. A well-rounded and engaging curriculum can help preschoolers develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and beyond.
Here are some tips and ideas for planning and implementing a successful preschool curriculum:

What do you hope to achieve with your curriculum? What skills and knowledge do you want to impart to your students?
Make a list of your goals and objectives and use them to guide you when planning your preschool curriculum.
Preschool-age children are curious and energetic, and they learn best through hands-on, experiential activities.
Look for ways to incorporate sensory and kinesthetic experiences into your early childhood curriculum lessons.
This might include whole group instruction, small group work, one-on-one instruction, and independent exploration.
Play is an essential part of a child's development, and it can be a great way to teach new concepts and skills. Look for ways to integrate play-based activities into your curriculum plans.
A good preschool teacher curriculum includes fun activities so kids get engaged while learning. This might include activities such as art, music, drama, or movement.
Try to include activities in your early childhood development curriculum that not only engage your kids but are also meaningful to them. This might involve asking open-ended questions, incorporating real-life examples, and using props and manipulatives to help students understand new concepts.
It's important to regularly assess student progress to see what they have learned and identify areas that need further attention. Look for opportunities to gather data on student learning through observations, assessments, and other means.
Involving parents and caregivers when planning your curriculum can help ensure that your lessons align with the values and goals of the families in your program.
Social-emotional skills, such as self-regulation, empathy, and communication, are essential for success in school and in life. Look for ways to incorporate activities that help students develop these skills into your lesson plans.
Don't be afraid to adapt and change your curriculum as needed. No curriculum is perfect, and you may need to make changes as you go along.
Be open to feedback from students, parents, and colleagues, and be willing to make changes as needed to better meet the needs of your students.

By following these tips, you can create a successful preschool curriculum that helps your students learn and grow.
With careful planning and execution, you can create a fun and engaging learning environment that sets your students up for success!

Tamar Andrews
Director of ECE @ American Jewish University
Tamar Andrews, EdD, is an Associate Professor at UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and Director of the Early Childhood Education Department at American Jewish University. With 30+ years in early childhood as a teacher and director, she led Temple Isaiah Preschool from 2003 to 2023, where she earned NAEYC accreditation and built an award-winning STEM program. Her work inspired her son Daniel to build Playground. She also teaches at UCLA Extension and Santa Monica College and speaks internationally on early childhood education.
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