Our Mission
The Complementary Curriculum Approach promotes play-based, creative opportunities interwoven with skill-based experiences and an equity stance that supports children’s confidence, competence, and joyful learning. Every child has the right to a responsive early education experience which honors their cultural, social, and intellectual ways of being.Teachers aspire to a settled classroom where children are engaged in productive and joyful play. You might feel caught between play and skill building. Perhaps children’s behaviors communicate that they need something different to develop agency and self-regulation. We can help you discover new ways to work that serve children and teachers well.
The Complementary Curriculum Approach helps you to discover a new mindset, with rich, interesting learning experiences at the core. Our work is complex, interesting, and requires specific knowledge and intentional practices. Using an anti-bias stance reminds us that a commitment to identity, diversity, and equity supports both child-led learning and a social justice stance.
Understanding the Prepared Environment and the Four Intentions opens a world where you can give explicit presentations while still providing open ended opportunities. You can offer freedom for play and inquiry without sacrificing structured, scaffolded experiences. You can provide equitable access to learning experiences and support children’s identity as active and empathic learners.
We want to help you become the teacher you aspire to be, moving through the intentions to strengthen your unique voice and practice, and pave the way for meaningful, joyful engagement for children and for you!
—Lisa and Iris
The Four Intentions
Compelling Materials
How teachers design and offer materials inspires children’s curiosity, experimentation, and thoughtful decision-making. Learn to provision the classroom with interesting materials that add complexity to children’s learning over time.
Explicit Presentation
Explicit modeling of social interactions, self-care routines, and use of classroom materials guides children to purposeful action. Learn to demonstrate the use of materials and routines to build and sustain children’s independence.
Responsive Scaffolding
A teacher’s supporting moves and interactions build upon and expand children’s explorations. Identify windows of opportunity to move in and out of children’s experiences as you scaffold new learning.
Following Children’s Interests
Designing an environment and planning activity rooted in children’s interests is what sparks deep, relevant learning. Learn to work with “big idea” investigations that connect to children’s lives and communities. Learn to foster children’s choice making and sustained, productive play periods.
Testimonials
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We provide education consulting services to support preschool programs, head start, public schools, and early care providers.
