Creative Curriculum

The Illinois Early Learning Standards provide the framework for instruction within the program.  Prairie Children Preschool adopted the Creative Curriculum, fourth edition, which is aligned to the Illinois Standards and outlines specific learning targets for three-year-old and four- year-old children. Concepts and skills related to language arts, math, science, physical growth, health and social/emotional milestones are developed through instructional units. Children will acquire these skills through a balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated learning opportunities.  Children are taught in small group, large group and individualized settings which promote independence, problem solving, cooperative learning, and self-confidence. 

Progress through the curriculum is monitored in order to ensure that all children are learning and acquiring skills/concepts being taught.   A checklist from the Creative Curriculum is used to gauge each child’s progress.   Information from the checklists is reviewed by staff and used to guide instructional planning within the classroom.   

A “Narrative Summary” for each child is compiled, in the Spring, and shared with parents.   In addition, early literacy and language skills are monitored through the Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDIs).   This general outcome measurement for preschoolers includes three tasks:  alliteration (matching pictures that start with the same sound), picture naming (naming pictured objects), and rhyming (matching pictured objects that rhyme).  Staff utilizes the information from the IGDI outcomes to design and deliver instructional activities.