Curriculum

Periwinkle uses an emergent, constructivist curriculum model grounded in observation, responsive teaching, and meaningful play. This approach is fully aligned with the Oregon Early Learning & Kindergarten Guidelines

Oregon Standards in Approaches to Learning:

  • Initiative and independence

  • Curiosity and exploration

  • Cognitive self-regulation (attention, working memory, flexibility in thought)

  • Creativity and problem-solving

How Emergent Curriculum Aligns:

  • Teachers build curriculum from children’s interests, promoting natural curiosity

  • Long-term projects and invitations strengthen persistence and focus

  • Open-ended materials encourage flexible thinking and creativity

  • Children make choices, plan their play, and collaborate on self-directed activities

Oregon Standards in Mathematics

  • Number sense

  • Operations through play

  • Classification, sorting, and patterns

  • Measurement and data

  • Geometry and spatial understanding

How Emergent Curriculum Aligns:

  • Math emerges naturally in block building, cooking, nature collections, loose-parts play, and daily routines like counting friends to go outside

  • Children measure ingredients, compare lengths, count materials, identify shapes, and create complex patterns

  • Teachers observe and extend mathematical thinking through curiosity and intentional materials

Oregon Standards in Literacy

  • Exposure to books and storytelling

  • Understanding print concepts

  • Beginning phonological skills

  • Early writing and drawing

How Emergent Curriculum Aligns: 

  • Literacy shows up in meaningful ways; writing names, labeling artwork, dictating stories, journaling

  • Teachers integrate books connected to children’s current interests and projects

  • Children engage with environmental print, dramatic play literacy (menus, tickets, charts), and shared reading