The curriculum aims to foster healthy social and emotional development while simultaneously exploring preventative strategies to address challenges that may arise later in life. Bright Views is unique and novel in its flexibility, focus on supporting teachers, and fresh take on lessons. Through a carefully curated series of lessons, songs, and activities, Bright Views strives to nurture self-awareness, foster positive relationships, celebrate diversity, cultivate emotional intelligence, and empower children to make healthy choices.
The Bright Views curriculum consists of 10 lessons that provide opportunities for children to acquire and practice social and emotional skills. Lessons are delivered by a teacher, for 30-45 minutes once a week for 10 weeks. The Bright Views curriculum is intentionally flexible so it can be delivered in large or small classrooms, home-based environments, or community settings. Each lesson and corresponding activities have scaffolding options, so teachers can adjust the lesson to best serve the needs of their specific students. Likewise, teachers can use these options to teach a second or third round of the same 10 lessons, making use of the more advanced/challenging scaffolding options for increased retention and more in depth learning.
Each lesson provides a quick summary and clear lesson objectives for the teacher, a special teacher’s corner section with tips and words of encouragement, circle time “share, ask, and connect” prompts, a song of the day reinforcing the lesson theme, play and learn activities and games, a related story-book and discussion prompts, wrap up reflection, and scaffolding options to enhance the experience. The Bright Views curriculum also includes props and other materials to enhance lessons and support teachers in incorporating lesson themes throughout the week. Family engagement letters and activities are sent home to inform parents about the skills their children are learning and promote positive engagement and connection.
Bright Views is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable community, where each child receives opportunities and support responsive to their unique learning needs, culture, and background. Bright Views strives to make each child feel welcomed, embraced and valued for who they are. The curriculum is intentionally inclusive of different races, cultures, genders, religions, and abilities. Our focus on high-quality student/teacher interactions and meaningful lesson content to guide this process is one of the many ways we support teachers and meet the needs of all children.
The Bright Views curriculum goes far beyond academics. We understand the importance of social-emotional development and the impact it has on a child’s overall well-being. We provide a nurturing space where children can develop their emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience. Our program creates a safe and nurturing environment, building strong relationships with each child and promoting a sense of belonging.
The Bright Views Curriculum was created by a team of researchers at Eastern Virginia Medical School and funded by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (Project lead: Sara Rothenberg, MPH)
© 2024 Bright Views | All Rights Reserved