Our Curriculum

AP-OD’s curriculum, created with and for families with children ages zero to five, assists diverse parents as they build strong foundations for their children.

About the AP-OD Curriculum

AP-OD’s Curriculum is grounded in research, reflects parent input, and uses the “popular education” approach to engage parents

Each of the 10 sessions uses a “dicho,” or popular saying, and incorporates culturally familiar activities and data. Available in both Spanish and English, the 10 sessions promote school readiness, family well-being, and advocacy by addressing:

best practices in brain development
key aspects of early childhood development (cognitive, language, physical, and social/emotional)
early literacy
bilingualism
early math
positive use of technology
attendance
civic engagement
parent leadership
goal setting
planning for family success

Vroom is integrated throughout the 3rd Edition. Vroom is an app that helps give parents a picture of what is happening in a young child’s brain and what they can do to help that brain grow.

A session on the positive use of technology helps parents understand technology’s best uses. AP-OD collaborated with Common Sense Media and the Joan Ganz Cooney Center to develop the Family Time with Apps written guide. The guide helps families select and use technology for learning.

A session designed to help parents introduce their preschoolers to basic math concepts such as sequence, shapes, size, order, numbers, and counting games and more that can be incorporated into daily life.

A session designed to provide parents practical tips for daily routines and learning activities they can use at home to support their child’s transition to school. Parents will be informed about how to assess and select local options for high quality early care and education and kindergarten and how to advocate for their child’s educational needs.
Four short bilingual videos: Count With Me, Transition to Kinder, Parent Power, and Small Children: Big Feelings.

A new impact survey tool that enables partner organizations to monitor and evaluate AP-OD’s impact for parents in their programs and to share their results.

10-Session Overview of AP-OD, 3rd Edition

Session 1: I am My Child’s First Teacher; Our Home, My Child’s First School

“The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree”

Get familiar with the AP-OD curriculum, goals, and objectives. Discuss the concepts of parents being the child’s first teacher and the home as the child’s first school. Share the importance of parents taking on the role of leaders in the home by communicating or conveying family values, establishing good communication, using positive discipline, setting goals, and developing and implementing a family action plan.

Session 2: My Child’s Growth and Development

“What Begins Well, Ends Well”

Focus on using daily routines to stimulate healthy brain development in children ages 0-5 through positive relationships and back and forth interactions. Share existing resources and services in the local community to support early childhood development, including early detection and services for children with special needs.

Session 3: Power of Words

“The More That You Learn, The More Places You Will Go”

Put practical tips into action, turning daily routines into opportunities for reading, language, and writing development. Explore the benefits of bilingualism, how to advocate for a child’s educational rights, and ideas for expanding home libraries.

Session 4: Health Body/Healthy Mind
- Part 1: Nutrition & Physical Activity

“Better Safe Than Sorry”

Discuss the importance of balanced nutrition and physical activity. Learn how to promote healthy habits in the home and about health programs available in the local community.

Session 5: Health Body/Healthy Mind -
Part 2: Social-Emotional Well-Being

“Each Mind is a World Unto Itself”

Explore ways of taking care of a child’s mental and emotional well-being, and the parent’s too. Practice strategies to help children be self-reliant, confident, and socially competent. Introduce the parent-created video on the importance of social and emotional well-being: Small Children: Big Feelings.

Session 6: My Child, Media and Technology

“The Future Belongs to Those Who Prepare for It Today”

Get informed and embrace media and technology that prepares a child to succeed in the digital age. Learn how to identify quality media choices, serve as good role models, use developmentally appropriate media and technology with children 0-5, and ensure technology serves as a tool for reaching educational goals.

Session 7: Count With Me

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step”

Discuss how math is everywhere around families in today’s world. Practice play and learning activities that help children have fun with math while doing daily routine activities that involve numbers, shapes, size, order, sequence, and more. Introduce the videos that demonstrate ideas for fun home activities: AP-OD Count With Me and Ready Rosie. Play the AP-OD Count With Me Loteria game, helping to reinforce knowledge about early math skills.

Session 8: Let’s Get Ready for School

“Knowledge is Power”

Explore tips for daily routine learning activities that specifically support a child’s transition to school. Share information about how to assess and select local options for early care education and Kindergarten, and how to advocate for a child’s educational needs and rights. Sign a Parent Reading Pledge Card to signal support for early learning. Introduce the parent-created video on the importance of preparing children to be ready for school: Transition to Kinder. Practice using Ready4K, a texting program that sends you three text messages a week — giving fun facts and tips on helping your child get ready for Kindergarten in simple, easy, everyday ways.

Session 9: Champions for Our Children’s Future

“There Is No Worse Struggle Than the One Never Waged”

Deepen parents’ view of themselves as leaders and advocates in their homes, schools, and communities. Strengthen leadership and advocacy skills to solve problems and challenges in a variety of community settings. Introduce the parent-created video on the important role parents play as champions for children and families: Parent Power.

Session 10: Yes, We Can! Graduation

“Success Knows No Bounds”

Honor each participant in a special family celebration, including certificates of completion. Recognize the commitment parents have to lead and advocate on behalf of children. Share positive changes taking place in homes, schools, and communities as a result of the AP-OD program. Play the AP-OD Loteria game, which was developed with feedback from over 200 parents and educators that included an analysis of the game’s effects when played by parents and their young children. Experience how the Loteria game connects the values, concepts, and fundamental objectives of the AP-OD curriculum with the hopes and skills of families.

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