An alignment with K-12 standards demonstrates that young children in early childhood programs are learning specific skills and knowledge to be successful in school and in life.

Curriculum is a framework for thinking about and planning for everything that can contribute to a child’s development and the teacher’s relationship with the child and family. (Kay Albrecht)

Assessment is a way teachers understand how children are growing and learning. It is not about testing. Teachers observe children in their classrooms to learn about their growth and development over time, and to make instructional plans to help the children make continual growth. We know that growth and development in the early years is very uneven within and among children; we expect each child’s rate of development to be unique. Assessments help teacher to know each child in all areas of his/her development in order to make good decisions for individualized curriculum plans, and assure that a child’s growth and development is proceeding. There are many methods and tools for recording observations and planning for individualized and group instruction.

Links