Exemplary Curriculum

Specificity and Readiness

The Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence is distinguished by its specificity. It identifies those

experiences, skills and knowledge that should be offered to ALL young children.

Specificity and Pedagogy

While the Preschool Sequence specifies knowledge and competencies, it does not prescribe to any

single pedagogy or method. The preschool sequence represents a synthesis of exemplary practices and experiences, both in the United States and abroad.

Critical and supplemental skills

The skills of the Preschool Sequence have been differentiated into “critical skills” and “supplemental

skills.” In the preschool sequence there is Level I for 3 and 4 year old, and Level II for 4 and 5 year old. Each level has suggestions for teaching skills and knowledge, however these guidelines are not rigid, rather they are to be taught in a coherent progression.

Excellence and Fairness

The Preschool Sequence is offered as another practical step toward the Core Knowledge

Foundation’s goal of promoting greater excellence and fairness in early education. Internationally,

the most successful educational systems teach a core of knowledge in the early grades.

When expectations are made explicit, all children, are exposed to a coherent core of challenging,

interesting competencies and knowledge. This background not only provides a foundation for later

learning, but also makes up the common ground for communication in a diverse society.