Transform Your Practice Through Intentional Teaching

Complementary Curriculum Approach Book Cover

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. 

illustration of an open box with surprise

Compelling Materials

illustration of hand placing block in other hand

Explicit Presentation

illustration of four different color hands

Responsive Scaffolding

illustration of magnifying glass over leaf

Following Children’s Interests

"Drawing on the wisdom of pioneers in early childhood education and development, they take that wisdom and use it as ingredients to produce the feast in the classroom they call a “complementary curriculum."

W. George Scarlett, Ph.D., Sr. Lecturer and Tisch Sr. Fellow, Tufts University

"The Complementary Curriculum Approach takes educational theories and practices that have strong foundations and uses a fresh look to bring them together to better meet the social-emotional and cognitive needs of all children by providing them with agency and choice."

Debbie LeeKeenan, Lecturer, author, consultant, AntibiasLeadersECE.com

"The Complementary Curriculum Approach shows us how to balance the best methodologies and integrate curriculum to truly create high-quality early childhood experiences like never before.."

Cady Audette and Kelly Pellagrini, co-directors at Charlestown Nursery School

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.

Three children forming a triangle
The Four Intentions Giveaway

Join Our Newsletter

Download a free outline of the four intentions by signing up today.

Name(Required)

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...

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...