Connect4Learning Closes the Education Gap in Maryland
State recommends new interdisciplinary pre-K curriculum
LEWISVILLE, NC – Connect4Learning, the prekindergarten curriculum, has been recommended for statewide use by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Rooted in research-led and classroom-tested foundations in literacy, science, social-emotional and math learning, the curriculum weaves together all four domains to ensure that each subject is addressed meaningfully and comprehensively with each child.
Most prekindergarten classrooms focus on one or two areas of learning, dedicating an average of 58 seconds to math instruction. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to fall below other developed countries in literacy, math and science proficiency. This gap is even wider for children living in poverty. Closing that gap begins in preschool.
“Math and science are typically neglected in preschool classrooms, which directly impacts children’s academic and professional success later in life,” said Laura Bailet, PhD, chief academic officer, Kaplan Early Learning Company. “Connect4Learning changes this reality for the better, bringing children a new approach to learning that builds and nurtures rich connections among all four core domains.”
Connect4Learning’s creative, interdisciplinary approach helps students learn self-regulation, critical thinking, communication and collaboration through learning-center activities, child-centered lessons, hands-on critical-thinking exercises and active engagement with teachers. Students also learn social and personal competencies including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship skills through group activities, hands-on activities, independent work and child-directed play.
“Connect4Learning nurtures students’ love and joy of learning, while giving them the school-readiness skills that will set them up for success,” said Dr. Bailet.
Nationally recognized experts in each core domain—Julie Sarama, PhD; Kimberly Brenneman, PhD; Douglas H. Clements, PhD; Nell K. Duke, EdD; and Mary Louise Hemmeter, PhD—wrote and researched Connect4Learning. The curriculum is divided into six units that address 134 measurable learning objectives and support children’s development of ten fundamental cognitive processes.
Connect4Learning was developed through funding and support from the National Science Foundation. The curriculum and its components are offered exclusively by Kaplan Early Learning Company.
Connect4Learning is an interdisciplinary early childhood prekindergarten curriculum, funded by the National Science Foundation. The curriculum uses research-led and classroom-tested foundations in mathematics, science, literacy and social-emotional development to weave together all four domains of learning to ensure that each subject is addressed meaningfully and comprehensively with each child. Connect4Learning’s interdisciplinary approach addresses growing concerns that the majority of preschool instructional time is devoted to literacy at the expense of other content areas, particularly math and science. The curriculum and its components are offered exclusively by Kaplan Early Learning Company. Visit our website to learn more.