I’ve been seeing questions from a few teachers asking about what curriculum or what approach they should be using in their preschool classrooms. There are no easy answers because there are many excellent traditional curricula and many wonderful new trends (See two of my old blogs: Mambo #5, parts 1 and 2).

At our school we are using Lakemont, a research-based but “homemade” and unpublished curriculum we think includes everything a teacher who truly believes in the proven evidence of child development and truly uses DAP exclusively in his/her classroom would want. Here’s some basic info on Lakemont:

The Mission is to foster optimum natural development of growth in Body, Mind, and Spirit in children from birth to five years of age by offering them developmentally appropriate experiences in an environment of physical, emotional, and educational safety and to evaluate the progress of that development using each child’s strengths to meet his and her needs.

The Rationale for the creation of the curriculum is to offer early childhood educators a comprehensive but simple research and experience-based guide to use to accomplish the mission.

The Principles are:

• Optimal learning in young children takes place through Movement, Sensory Operations, Manipulation of appropriate materials, Construction, Role Play, and Expression in ways of their own choosing in an atmosphere of physical, emotional, and educational safety
• Every child is good simply by the act of existing and as such, deserves the opportunity to grow, develop, and reach his and her optimal natural strength potential
• Every family deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and with great regard for its integral role in each child’s education
• Every adult working with the children must be knowledgeable in the areas of child development and brain research and must use only developmentally appropriate practice
• Every program administrator must be aware of the needs of children, families, and staff and do all he or she can to create an environment that both inspires and supports the accomplishment of the Mission

The Creation of Lakemont was inspired by the editor’s examination and interpretation of the most workable and relevant theories of well-regarded child development specialists, specifically the work of Gesell’s Ames and Ilg; the learning theories of Dewey, Dodge, Malaguzzi, Montessori, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Weikart; tested and current research in brain growth and learning; the most practical and adaptable techniques of respected educators; by local, State, and National accreditation and licensing standards; the editor’s years of education, training, experience, and expertise; and with invaluable input from past and present teachers of the Winter Park Presbyterian Church Preschool Program in Winter Park, Florida.

Next Blog: What Makes Lakemont Unique