Our Story
Bright Views was born from a simple yet powerful idea: every child deserves a nurturing start that builds the social and emotional foundations for lifelong success. Created by educators, researchers, and early childhood experts, Bright Views blends play, connection, and evidence-based social–emotional learning into one easy-to-use curriculum designed for preschool classrooms. What began as a small pilot program has grown into a movement—empowering educators, strengthening families, and helping children across communities see their own bright potential.
Why Choose Bright Views?
Aligned with SEL competencies
Our curriculum is aligned with evidence-based social-emotional learning competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Play-Based Learning
We believe that play is the cornerstone of early childhood education. Through carefully crafted activities, songs, and engaging play, we encourage children to discover the world around them, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and a strong sense of self.
Scaffolding & Flexibility
We understand that each child is unique, with their own strengths and areas for growth. Our print and digital curriculum includes scaffolding options so teachers can adjust lessons and activities to best support their students.
Family Engagement
We believe in the power of collaboration between parents and educators. Bright Views provides opportunities to actively involve parents in their child’s learning journey, keeping them informed about lesson themes, sharing insights, and offering activities to engage with children at home.
Support for Educators
We take a teacher-centered approach, with adaptations, tips, and resources baked right into the curriculum. We offer additional training and networking opportunities and a focus on teacher well-being.
Through Bright Views, children:
- Develop a strengthened sense of self
- Learn to identify and manage emotions
- Build positive communication skills
- Explore supportive relationships and trust
- Expand concepts of diversity, acceptance, and belonging
- Identify body organs and understand the physical body
- Learn about healthy choices for body and mind
- Enhance positive coping behaviors and strategies
Evidence Base
2024-2025 Pilot Results
Over 300 children across Virginia participated in Bright Views in 2024!
How it Works
Order the curriculum
Get access to the Bright Views Teacher Training & digital portal
Teach 10 engaging lessons
Collect and share assessment data to see measurable impacts
Lesson themes include:
- Self-image & self-esteem
- Relationships & support
- Community & diversity
- Communication
- Identifying emotions
- Managing emotions
- Body organs & body parts
- Movement & food
- Body safety & autonomy
What’s In a Lesson?
Each lesson, activity, song, and book in the Bright Views curriculum was intentionally curated to support key areas of social and emotional learning for young children.
Lesson Overview
Provides a brief overview of what the lesson will cover and all activities
Lesson Objectives & Learning Standards
Lays out the competencies children will build throughout the lesson and how it aligns with common teaching and learning standards
Teacher's Corner
Provides words of encouragement and tips for the teacher relevant to each lesson
Circle Time
- Play & Learn – guided play-based learning to teach the main concepts of the lesson
- Story Time – includes Before Reading, During Reading, and After Reading questions to engage children
- Music & Movement – a unique song created specifically for each lesson
- Reflection
Explore & Expand
Scaffolding options depending on the age, needs, and abilities of your class
More to Explore
Additional activities that can be used to extend the lesson or at another time
Additional Resources
Additional books and songs to integrate into your classroom
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)
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