Planning with Purpose

Intentional Planning is the key to a great curriculum. To do it well, you must become an "educational detective" who observes the small details that get your students excited. Is an infant obsessed with a new texture? Are your preschoolers fascinated by bugs? By capturing these organic interests and incorporating them into your planning, your curriculum will instantly be elevated. When you balance your planning with hands-on, visual, and auditory experiences, you make even the essential, academic lessons feel like play.

This compelling planning builds a "reservoir of fun" that makes the "must-do" moments of the day—like waiting in line or cleanup time—much easier on both you and the children. Of course, your demeanor is the final piece of the puzzle; when you approach these transitions with playful energy, the children will naturally follow your lead.

Even the best plans can flop or end earlier than expected, leaving you with excess time. This is where your Bag of Tricks comes in. By having a mental or physical collection of quick songs, short games, or storytelling prompts ready to go, you can pivot instantly when energy shifts. By relying on a system rather than luck, you ensure every hour has purpose.