Preschool Curriculum Decision-Making: Dimensions to Consider

Policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels recognize the key role preschool education plays in children’s learning and development, but they may have less understanding of what constitutes a quality preschool program curriculum. Given the multitude of available curriculum models, the confusion regarding which ones are appropriate for 3- and 4-year-olds is understandable. However, if one of the goals of preschool is to improve children’s school success by enhancing their early skills and knowledge, programs serving preschoolers need to decide the content of what children should learn, as well as how they will best learn it. This report provides a framework for decision-makers to use in evaluating which curriculum might be most appropriate for their specific preschool program.