The Cook Inlet Native Head Start Curriculum

students touching fur

The Way We See

The Way We See Curriculum is a systematic guide of planned activities designed to build experiences, skills, and attitudes that prepare each child for kindergarten. The curriculum is research-based,* rubric driven, observation assessed, and draws upon learning and child development principles that are delivered through the utilization and focus upon Alaskan Native values and cultural enrichment.** The curriculum is administered in a child centered environment which is play based and stresses the development of social, emotional, motor/physical, and cognitive skills.


What does TWWS Teach?

The Way We See uses a whole child approach to prepare children for Kindergarten and beyond while centering them in Alaska Native cultures. Each month, a different Alaska Native cultural group is honored, with real cultural objects integrated into each classroom and learning activities grounded in that culture.

What does this look like during my child's day?

Your child might participate in Native Youth Olympics, grow their language and literacy skills using Yup’ik story knives, practice patterns with Iñupiaq parka trim or Unangax̂ visors, measure to make jam from berries grown on the playground, investigate how moose meat is prepared before helping make moose stew, learn about Yup’ik dance fans and create their own, greet visiting Elders using Alaska Native languages, sing and dance to Tlingit music, and more!

Every day looks different learning through play and Alaska Native Cultures

* Research sources: Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five; the Alaskan State Early Learning Guidelines; and national “Best Practices” research studies on early childhood learning with a focus on pre-kindergarten learning: social/emotional development, language development, cognitive
development, and motor and physical development.

** Values and Cultural sources: Alaskan Native Values for Curriculum; Alaska Native Seasonal Cycles: A Cultural Curriculum Framework; and early childhood learning and education research on Alaskan Natives and American Indians.