7 Steps to Enhance Early Learning Instruction

Education is evolving rapidly, and that includes early childhood education. The quality of instructional resources in pre-K programs stands as a critical cornerstone for future academic success. School leaders are finding themselves at a pivotal juncture, tasked with the responsibility of shaping these foundational years. The challenge lies not just in providing resources but also in curating and implementing them in ways that ignite curiosity, foster inclusivity, and prepare our youngest learners for an increasingly complex world.

A new RAND Corp. survey, “Instructional Resources in Public School-Based Pre-K,” looks at structural characteristics of pre-K programs, such as the curriculum and assessment materials that pre-K teachers used most frequently in classrooms, educators’ perceptions of the quality of these materials, access to planning time and dedicated time for coordination across grades, and professional learning activities.

Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:

• More than 80 percent of public school–based pre-K teachers used multiple commercially available curriculum materials in their classrooms, even when they used a comprehensive curriculum.
• Most pre-K teachers believed that the instructional materials they used were high quality, particularly for promoting development in language and literacy, early numeracy, and social and emotional domains.
• Teachers of part-day and full-day classrooms reported using similar curriculum and assessment materials, but part-day teachers had less training on how to use them.
• Less than a third of pre-K teachers strongly agreed that they had adequate time during their contracted hours for tasks that support instructional delivery.
• Teachers of part-day classrooms were less likely to report having adequate time for typical instructional planning tasks than were teachers of full-day classrooms.
• Less than half of pre-K teachers reported having dedicated time to coordinate across grades or dedicated time for kindergarten transition.

Based on these findings, here are seven vital steps school leaders can take to enhance early childhood instructional resources.

1. Harness the Power of EdTech

Early exposure to technology can enhance cognitive development, improve digital literacy, and prepare children for future academic and professional environments. Edtech can offer personalized learning experiences, adapting to each child’s pace and style, which is particularly crucial in the diverse landscape of early childhood education.

How to Get Started

• Conduct a comprehensive technology audit to identify gaps and opportunities in your current setup.
• Collaborate with early childhood tech specialists to select age-appropriate, evidence-based digital tools that align with your curriculum goals.
• Implement a “tech rotation” system where different digital resources are introduced throughout the year to maintain engagement and cover various learning domains.
• Establish clear guidelines for technology use, ensuring a healthy balance with traditional hands-on activities.
• Create a system for regular evaluation of digital resources’ effectiveness, using both quantitative data and qualitative feedback from teachers and families.

2. Develop a Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Resource Library

When children see themselves and their communities reflected in their learning materials, it boosts their self-esteem, enhances engagement, and fosters a sense of belonging. This approach also exposes all children to diverse perspectives, promoting empathy, cultural awareness, and global citizenship from an early age.

How to Get Started

• Form a diverse committee of educators, parents, and community members to review and select culturally responsive materials.
• Implement a “culture of the month” program, featuring resources that deep-dive into different cultures represented in your community and beyond.
• Develop a series of custom, locally relevant learning materials that reflect your specific community’s diversity.
• Establish partnerships with diverse authors and illustrators for virtual classroom visits and collaborative projects.
• Create a “living library” where families can contribute cultural artifacts, stories, and resources on a rotating basis.

3. Prioritize and Integrate SEL

Social-emotional learning is the bedrock upon which all other learning is built. In Pre-K, children are at a critical stage of emotional and social development. By prioritizing SEL, we’re helping children develop crucial life skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and effective communication. These skills not only contribute to academic success but also to lifelong wellbeing and positive relationships.

How to Get Started

• Develop a comprehensive SEL framework tailored to your pre-K program, integrating elements from established models like CASEL.
• Create a series of themed SEL kits that teachers can use for focused instruction.
• Implement a peer mentoring program where older elementary students visit pre-K classes to model and teach SEL skills.
• Design a family engagement program centered on SEL, providing resources and workshops to support SEL at home.
• Integrate SEL assessment tools to track progress and inform resource allocation.

4. Maximize Community Partnerships

Community partnerships expose children to diverse role models, career possibilities, and life experiences that they might not otherwise encounter. Plus, strong community connections can provide additional resources and support for pre-K programs, potentially filling gaps in funding or expertise.

How to Get Started

• Establish a Community Advisory Board for your pre-K program, inviting local experts to contribute their knowledge and resources.
• Create a digital platform for community partners to easily share and update their educational offerings.
• Develop a series of Career Explorer kits in partnership with local professionals, introducing children to various occupations.
• Implement a Community Classroom initiative where local spaces (parks, museums, businesses) become extensions of the pre-K learning environment.
• Launch a Guest Teacher program, inviting community members with unique skills or knowledge to lead special lessons.

5. Reimagine the Pre-K Environment as a Dynamic Makerspace

A makerspace approach in pre-K aligns perfectly with how young children naturally learn—through hands-on exploration, trial and error, and creative problem-solving. This approach also nurtures children’s natural curiosity and love of learning, setting the stage for lifelong enthusiasm for education.

How to Get Started

• Transform a portion of each pre-K classroom into a flexible makerspace, with modular furniture and easily accessible materials.
• Develop a series of open-ended challenge cards that prompt creative problem-solving using makerspace materials.
• Implement a “Maker of the Week” program, celebrating and showcasing children’s creative projects.
• Create a mobile makerspace cart that can travel between classrooms, featuring rotating themed materials.
• Organize regular family maker nights, encouraging collaborative creation and extending the makerspace philosophy to homes.

6. Embrace Adaptive and Personalized Learning Resources

Adaptive and personalized learning can significantly enhance learning outcomes by allowing children to progress at their own pace, reducing frustration and boredom. It also helps identify and address learning gaps early, preventing them from becoming larger issues later in a child’s educational journey.

How to Get Started

• Implement adaptive learning software that adjusts difficulty based on each child’s progress.
• Create personalized learning portfolios for each student, documenting their unique interests, strengths, and areas for growth.
• Develop a resource library of differentiated materials for each core learning area, allowing teachers to easily select appropriate challenges for each child.
• Establish a mentorship program where teachers collaborate to create individualized learning plans.
• Design a series of “choose your own adventure” style learning activities, allowing children to follow their interests while meeting key learning objectives.

7. Implement Continuous PD for Educators

The quality of pre-K education is directly linked to the expertise and effectiveness of its educators. Continuous professional development ensures that teachers stay abreast of the latest research, pedagogical approaches, and best practices in early childhood education. This ongoing learning allows educators to refine their skills, adapt to new challenges, and implement innovative strategies in their classrooms. It also helps prevent burnout by keeping teachers engaged and excited about their work.

How to Get Started

• Implement a quarterly resource review process, involving teachers, administrators, and families.
• Create a digital feedback system where teachers can easily log observations about resource effectiveness in real-time.
• Establish an annual Resource Innovation Challenge, encouraging staff to develop and pilot new instructional materials.
• Form partnerships with local universities to participate in early childhood education research, gaining access to the latest evidence-based practices.
• Develop a Resource Ambassador program, where teachers visit other high-performing pre-K programs to exchange ideas and materials.

From harnessing cutting-edge educational technology to reimagining learning spaces as dynamic makerspaces, these strategies offer a roadmap for creating vibrant, effective early learning environments. By understanding and implementing these crucial steps, we can ensure that our pre-K programs not only meet the diverse needs of today’s children but also lay the groundwork for their lifelong learning journey.