Connect4Learning: Early Childhood Education in the Context of Mathematics, Science, Literacy, and Social-Emotional Development

• In Event: Literacy and Mathematics Instruction and Skills

Abstract

We are developing a new interdisciplinary preschool curriculum, Connect4Learning, that combines the best of research and practice in promoting young children’s development in the social-emotional, literacy, mathematics, and science domains. We are basing our work on our 10-phase theoretical Curriculum Research Framework and on careful syntheses of empirically-tested math and science programs and research-based approaches to literacy/language and social-emotional development. We believe the domains support each other and do not have to “compete” for time. This paper will introduce our theoretical framework and the empirically-tested programs for each domain, as well as report on the first year’s development and pilot testing.

Authors

• Douglas H. Clements, University of Denver

• Julie Sarama, University of Denver

• Mary Louise Hemmeter, Vanderbilt University

• Kimberly Brenneman, Rutgers University

• Nell K. Duke, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor