SUBJECT: Curriculum

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE - Staff, in collaboration with parents, implements a curriculum that is consistent with the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Curriculum may be developed or adapted from among a variety of curriculum approaches or frameworks, which support each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, as well as the educational aspects of other program areas. The daily implementation of the curriculum is responsible to ongoing observations of children. Staff works with parents to support the goals of the curriculum in the home.

Individualization of Curriculum - The staff, through the curriculum, supports each child’s individual pattern of development and learning. Staff, together with parents, supports individualizing the curriculum.

iii. Health, Nutrition, Mental Health Services Integration- Staff integrates all educational aspects of the health, nutrition, and mental health services into the child assessment goals, lesson plans, and program activities. Adults model good health practices and integrate them into the curriculum by:

A. Talking about physical and dental examinations, before they occur, in order to increase understanding and reduce fears

B. Encouraging role playing and reading books, before and after visits to doctors, dentists and therapists.

C. Including props and opportunities for learning through dramatic play

D. Providing learning experiences through food preparation and through the sampling of a variety of nutritious foods

E. Providing books, pictures, videos, and special guests to provide information related to health, nutrition and mental health

F. Engaging individual children in conversations and dramatic play regarding concerns, fears, or issues identified by children themselves.