Teaching and Learning
Curriculum, Coaching, and Professional Development
Our team works to strengthen the capacity of early education programs to deliver high-quality teaching and learning resources to classrooms serving low income children and families, because every child deserves a high-quality education. Our annual Professional Development Day provides a unique opportunity for skill-building and convening for hundreds of early educators. Our team of coaches provide invaluable support for early education programs in Boston and across Massachusetts. And in partnership with early education programs, Boston Public Schools, and the LEGO Foundation, our Learning Through Exploration curriculum is a vital (and free!) resource for early educators across the country.
Learning Through Exploration:
A free resource to support toddlers and their caregivers in play-based learning.
Learning Through Exploration offers a community-developed, anti-bias, Reggio-inspired approach to teaching. Our play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum was specially designed to provide toddlers with playful, engaging, and joyful learning experiences combined with support for teachers on observation, documentation, implementation, family engagement, and children’s literature recommendations.
Additional Resources
Webinars - View our introductory webinars - a series of five short webinars discussing components of the curriculum and how you can implement them in your ECE setting.
Guiding Documents - The Guiding Documents section of the curriculum download includes the complete list of children’s literature recommendations, as well as additional details and background on Indicators of Playful Learning and Anti-Bias Goals.
“After watching the webinars, I feel way more confident in my ability to use the curriculum materials in my classroom!”
- Webinar Viewer
“Children have been thrilled to have the opportunity to explore things they may have not otherwise been able to.”
- Curriculum Collaborator
“Coaching provided me with a new way of learning! I always want to be the best teacher
I can and this allowed me to see my progress and to make myself a better teacher.”
- Coaching Participant
Instructional Coaching for Early Educators
Our coaches support partner early childhood education programs across Boston and the Commonwealth, employing the Practice-Based Coaching Model (PBC) - A strengths-based and individualized approach to coaching which includes:
Educator-led goal setting - based on the teaching practices you want to strengthen
16-week coaching round
Bi-weekly observation and debriefing sessions with your coach
Professional Development Day:
An in-person learning experience focused on current trends in early learning.
Our annual professional development day is full of learning, connection, and innovation. This day is focused on the educators within The Neighborhood and is in response to the areas of growth they have defined for themselves. The day begins with a light breakfast and networking, followed by a guest speaker addressing the importance of early education and showing appreciation for our community's incredible work.
Participants then attend workshops on developmentally appropriate practices, Early Relational Health, family engagement, STEAM, and more. Our sessions are led by field experts and provide hands-on activities, practical techniques, and collaborative discussions. The day is concluded with an inspiring keynote speaker, focused on rejuvenating educators, followed by some fun games, and closing remarks.
Stay tuned for information about our 2025 Professional Development Day.
T&L In The News
Inspired by this research, Neighborhood Villages recently launched a new play-based curriculum in partnership with the LEGO Foundation and Boston Public Schools. “In early childhood, play is learning,” says Binal Patel, chief program officer.