Transform Your Practice Through Intentional Teaching
The Complementary Curriculum Approach invites teachers to support children’s play, cultivate classroom environments with rich, interesting learning experiences at the core, and commit to equitable classroom practices. The Complementary Curriculum Approach identifies four strategic and powerful teaching intentions that supports a child’s right to an educational experience rooted in an anti-bias stance. These intentions will invigorate and strengthen teacher practices and pave the way for meaningful, joyful engagement for children and the adults who work with them.
Our Approach
Complementary Curriculum Approach invites teachers to support children’s play, cultivate classroom environments and commit to equitable classroom practices with rich, interesting learning experiences at the core. Four strategic and powerful teaching intentions guide teaching for equity and are rooted in the anti-bias goals of identity, diversity, justice, and activism.
Compelling Materials
Explicit Presentation
Responsive Scaffolding
Following Children’s Interests
About the Authors
Lisa Porter Kuh, Ph.D. is an educational consultant, teacher educator, coach, and author. She was the Director of Early Education for the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. She has over thirty years of experience with young children as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, university professor and researcher, and professional developer.
Iris Chin Ponte, Ph.D. is director and classroom teacher at the Henry Frost Children’s Program in Belmont, MA. She is an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School of Education at Lesley University. Recognized as an Exchange Emerging Leader in 2015, Iris is a former Fulbright Scholar, with expertise in cross-cultural issues in education.
Schedule a Consultation Session
We provide education consulting services to support preschool programs, head start, public schools, and early care providers.
Join Our Newsletter
Download a free outline of the four intentions by signing up today.
News & Events
NAEYC National Conference: Beyond the Easel
Lisa Kuh and Sara Bloomberg will give a workshop called Beyond the Easel: Supporting Artistic Expression, Independence, and Creativity at NAEYC Nashville, TN on November 18, 2023. Moving from teacher directed craft projects to process centered artistic expression...
NAEYC National Conference: Explicit Presentations Outside
Iris, Heather and Jess, teachers at the Henry Frost Children’s Program, will be presenting at the national NAEYC conference in Nashville, TN. Their presentation is titled: “Bringing our school outside: Using explicit presentations to support children in nature”...
The Paradigm Project and The Orchard
Lisa joins leaders of Jewish preschools across the country for two learning opportunities. She will co-facilitate 5 sessions of Rhythms of the Jewish year with a focus on Following Children’s Interests through Big Idea explorations to bring deeper meaning to the focus...