The Bridge Curriculum, a transitional Kindergarten through first grade curriculum, shifts emphasis from attainment of measurable standards-based, age-defined abilities to child-centered intellectual development as defined by Dewey, Montessori, etc. In doing so, a more holistic and child-centered learning environment is created that addresses the academic, social, and personal developmental needs of all children.
Ideal For: preschool-1st grade teachers, administrators
Overview
The Bridge Curriculum, funded by the Theresa and Frank Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood, is a response to an alarming trend in early childhood education where classrooms are directed by worksheets and test scores rather than creative expressions of knowledge and thinking.
The Bridge Curriculum will address this problem of practice through the development of a model that includes theory and research-based pedagogy and best-practices of play-based instruction. The model serves as a conceptual framework that enables students to utilize both teacher-initiated AND self-initiated play as a means to “traverse” multiple experiences in a variety of content and skill areas. A second problem of practice addressed by The Bridge Curriculum relates to teacher efficacy and capacity regarding play-based instruction in the early grades. Teacher professional development and education related to the characteristics of play, learning theory, and child growth and development are integral features of The Bridge Curriculum. The purpose of The Bridge Curriculum, (a Transition Kindergarten through first grade curriculum) shifts emphasis from attainment of measurable standards based age defined abilities to child-centered intellectual development as defined by Dewey, Montessori, etc. In doing so, a more holistic and child-centered learning environment is created that addresses the academic, social, and personal developmental needs of all children.
Learning Experiences
Below is a sample of a set of learning experiences from The Bridge Curriculum.
