5 Small Things Every Parent Should Do – Parenting Tips

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Research shows clearly that the quality of care and education children receive in the first five years of life can have a profound influence in their later years. In that 90 percent of brain growth happens before kindergarten, the importance of providing a safe, loving, and stimulating environment for children – one that fosters positive and healthy development – cannot be overemphasized. There’s no doubt that high-quality early child care and education help deliver long-term advantages that are critical to a child’s overall growth and progress.

Collaborative for Children’s vision of providing an exceptional, innovative early learning experience for all kids in Greater Houston echoes this call to ensure that children get the opportunities they need to reach their full potential. This vision is the driving force behind Curriculum Design and Innovation (CDI).

The realization of this vision begins with the creation of an innovative curriculum using the backward design approach; that is, beginning with the end in mind. The ultimate goal is to shape children who have the skills to cope with the rapid changes in information technology that are transforming the world. To achieve this goal, the curriculum must be one that blends emotional intelligence skills and cognitive skills to ensure that children are fully prepared to succeed in school, work, and life.

It is also important to take other steps in the curriculum process to be certain that what is being taught is relevant and responsive to the needs of children, teachers, families, and communities. These steps include a continuous cycle of engaging in cohesive planning with other program areas; delivering focused and relevant training programs; and supporting curriculum implementation. Guided by Collaborative for Children’s core values, CDI’s goal is to make an impact in our Center of Excellence classrooms that will improve teaching practices, increase teacher efficacy, strengthen family engagement, and produce positive student learning outcomes.

Curriculum Development & Innovation