Education

Our educational program consists of several integrated curriculum pieces:

Scholastic Early Childhood Program

The Scholastic Big Day at PreK Curriculum is a comprehensive, integrated, and bilingual yearlong curriculum that actively involves children and addresses all domains of child development and self-expression. This program is aligned with federal, state and local guidelines and standards, ensuring Head Start children enter public school with the knowledge they need to succeed.

Little Scientists

Little Scientists is a hands-on, minds-on, inquiry-based method of teaching science to young children. Currently utilized in 60 Head Start classrooms, this unique curricula excites children about science while encouraging them to explore, investigate, discover and understand the natural world around them.

Early Head Start Curriculum

These very young children are also given a head start through the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers, a research-based program specifically for children ages 0-3 years. The programs helps teachers build relationships with the children by showing them how to create meaningful daily routines and experiences that respond to individual children’s strengths and interests. These early, positive interactions with caring adults give young children the confidence they need to explore their surroundings and take delight in their day-to-day discoveries.

Creative Curriculum has a developmental assessment that measures gains throughout the year. This information is used to assist teachers and staff in planning effectively for the youngest of children as they transition into the Head Start program.  Early Head Start children are also monitored through the e-LAP on-going assessment system.

Dual Language

Currently, more than 40 percent of Head Start of Greater Dallas students are dual language learners. Head Start of Greater Dallas supports and respects the importance of Dual Language Learners maintaining their Home Language while learning English. A recent position paper published by the Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center states: “whenever possible, young Dual Language Learners (DLL) should receive their initial reading instruction in their native language”. By ensuring that parents and the community play a very active role in the development and implementation of this philosophy Head Start of Greater Dallas supports the firm belief that the parent is a child’s first teacher and that a child’s community plays a very important role in the child’s language and overall development.