CREATIVE

CURRICULUM
MODEL
Diane Trister Dodge

Cate Heroman, MEd

Laura J. Colker, EdD

Rooted in the great educational theorists such as:
• Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs;
• Erick Erickson’s eight stages of psychosocial development;
• Jean Piaget’s cognitive development;
• Lev Vygotsky’s social interaction and zone of proximal
development;
• Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences; and
• Sara Simlansky’s play-based learning.
Philosophy/Principles/ Goals

• It’s built on theories of development in young children

• To help children become:
independent
self-confident
inquisitive 
enthusiastic 
Beliefs about Children and How they learn

The children learn Build a trusting

Young children learn
through play and relationship with each
best by doing.
guided instruction  child

Create environments
Provide responsive, Ensure children’s safety
that support and
individualized care and health
encourage exploration 

Develop partnerships
with families
 Beliefs about
• Observe and document children’s development
• Recognize the importance of social/emotional
Children and How
development they learn
• Appreciate cultural, family and individual differences
• Take advantage of every opportunity to build a
foundation for lifelong learning
• Support dual-language learners
• Include children with disabilities in all aspects of the
program
 The curriculum identifies
Curriculum Focus Play-based curriculum goals in all areas of
development

The goals and objectives

Follows a holistic
for this curriculum
approach and focus on
provide a direction for
the whole child
planning the program 

It shows teachers how to

integrate learning in
literacy, math, science,
social studies, the arts
and technology 
Organization of Knowing children

the curriculum Creating a responsive environment

What children are learning

Caring and teaching

Building partnerships with families

Roles of the Provide
• Provide many and varied experiences for children;
Teacher • Allow children time to practice new skills;
Allow

Develop
• Develop positive relationships with each child; 

Create
• Create a safe environment 

Provide
• Provide many rich language experiences

Offer
• Offer continuity of care
 Roles of the Teacher

As children’s play,
Utilize Teaching
Use series of teachers watch
Strategies
questionnaires  how they use
Assessment
materials. 
Learning Environment and Learning
Materials

Balances teacher-planned and child-initiated learning

Content-rich and developmentally appropriate learning environment

Requires the physical space of the classroom to be structured into different

interest areas 

Has rich environments 

Unique/Additional
Features
Confidentiality

Discipline

Special needs
Full Day Schedule ( 7:00 am-6:00 pm)
" You can make a difference even if
you cannot change the unfortunate 

 children deal with".

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